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        <title><![CDATA[The Leaderboard]]></title>
        <description>RSS of The Leaderboard</description>
        <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:30:04 -0400</pubDate>
        <link>https://cmacontario.com</link>
                        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Mid-Season Check-In: 7 Things Every Club Leader Should Review in July]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[The height of the golf season is the perfect time to pause and assess what&amp;#39;s working&amp;mdash;and where small improvements can make a big impact. From labour efficiency and member satisfaction to food &amp;amp; beverage performance, events, staff wellbeing, and operational processes, this mid-season check-in highlights seven key areas every club leadership team should review. Featuring insights from experienced club professionals across the industry, it&amp;#39;s designed to spark meaningful conversations that strengthen operations and enhance the member experience before the season comes to a close.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-07-21</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Mid-Season-Check-In</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Mid-Season-Check-In</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Brown, CCM]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Lisa Brown, CCM
CMAC Ontario Branch- Board of Directors and Professional Pathways Vice Chair
General Manager, St. Catharine&amp;#39;s Golf &amp;amp; Country Club

Lisa Brown, CCM, is a highly respected leader in the private club industry, bringing more than 20 years of professional experience and over 25 years of membership with the Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC). Her career has been shaped by progressive leadership roles at several of the Greater Toronto Area&amp;rsquo;s most prestigious clubs, including Oakdale Golf and Country Club and Rosedale Golf Club, where she developed a strong foundation in operational excellence, capital project delivery, and member service.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-07-06</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-Lisa-Brown</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-Lisa-Brown</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Chronicles of Cork: A Tour of Bordeaux with The Toronto Hunt Members]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Marcel Bregstein, CCM/Sommelier
Assistant General Manager, Toronto Hunt Club

When Lynn Elmhirst&amp;mdash;producer and host of World&amp;rsquo;s Greatest Cruises&amp;mdash;invited me to collaborate on filming two episodes in Bordeaux, I knew it would be something special. With her expertise in luxury cruising and my deep connections in the wine world, we set out to create something truly memorable.

The experience became even richer when a small group of Toronto Hunt Members joined us for an 11-day journey aboard the elegant Scenic Diamond.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-06-29</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/A-Tour-of-Bordeaux</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/A-Tour-of-Bordeaux</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Kennedy]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Jennifer Kennedy
CMAC Ontario Branch &amp;ndash; Professional Development Chair
Athletics &amp;amp; Wellness Director, The Boulevard Club

Jennifer Kennedy is an experienced wellness and club operations leader whose vision and dedication elevate the role of athletic and wellness programming within private clubs &amp;mdash; enhancing member experiences and supporting professional growth across the club industry.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-06-17</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Volunteer-Jennifer-Kennedy</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Volunteer-Jennifer-Kennedy</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Spotlight: Rob Hickson]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Rob Hickson
CMAC Ontario Branch &amp;ndash; Membership &amp;amp; Marketing Vice Chair
General Manager,&amp;nbsp;Lookout Point Country Club

Rob Hickson is an experienced club leader whose passion for member experience, strategic engagement, and professional service shines both in his club role and in his volunteer leadership within the CMAC Ontario Branch.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-06-10</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-Rob-hickson</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-Rob-hickson</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Spotlight: Hendrick van der Geld, CCM, PGA]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Hendrick van der Geld, CCM, PGA
CMAC Ontario Branch &amp;ndash; Vice President
Chief Operating Officer, The Club at North Halton

Hendrick van der Geld is a distinguished leader in the Canadian club industry, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at The Club at North Halton in Georgetown, Ontario. As both a Certified Club Manager (CCM) and a Class &amp;ldquo;A&amp;rdquo; PGA Professional, Hendrick bridges the gap between elite athletic programming and sophisticated business operations.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-05-25</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-spotlight-Hendrick</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-spotlight-Hendrick</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Behind the Scenes with Lisa Noonan: The Engine Behind CMAC Ontario]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[In every strong professional community, there&amp;rsquo;s a steady force working behind the scenes&amp;mdash;connecting people, shaping ideas, and turning momentum into meaningful action. At the CMAC Ontario Branch, that force is Lisa Noonan.

While members often experience the polished results&amp;mdash;engaging events, valuable education sessions, and a growing network of peers&amp;mdash;the work that brings it all together is layered, intentional, and deeply collaborative. A day in Lisa&amp;rsquo;s world is less about routine and more about orchestration&amp;mdash;balancing strategy, creativity, and connection to keep the branch moving forward.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-05-21</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Behind-the-Scenes-with-Lisa-Noonan</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Behind-the-Scenes-with-Lisa-Noonan</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Finding the Fairway: A Grounded Approach to Golf &amp; Club Management Job Prospecting]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Shaun Tyler, MBA, BComm, PGA of Canada Class &amp;quot;A&amp;quot;
Professor, Sport Management Program
Faculty of Business, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

With May marking Mental Health Awareness Month, it&amp;rsquo;s worth recognizing that a job search in the golf and club management industry requires both professional discipline and personal resilience. Seasonality, competitive roles, and the relationship-driven nature of the industry can intensify the pressure and really turn up the heat for those &amp;ldquo;go-getter&amp;rdquo; types. Finding the appropriate balance and recognizing the signs of burnout varies between us all and is certainly easier said than done, but approaching the process with efforts that both stabilize and emphasize mental wellness is critical to maintaining performance and keeping a positive outlook.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-05-18</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Finding-the-Fairway</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Finding-the-Fairway</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Spotlight: Alena Miatlushka]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Alena Miatlushka, MCATD
CMAC Ontario Branch &amp;ndash; Board of Directors and Professional Pathways Chair
Director of Human Resources, The Boulevard Club

Alena Miatlushka is a highly accomplished Human Resources professional with a rich international background spanning Europe, the Middle East, and North America. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality sector, she has developed deep expertise in hotel pre-openings, brand repositioning, and the strategic management of HR and training functions. Alena has successfully led regional HR communities, playing a critical role in implementing global people initiatives that align with business goals and elevate organizational performance.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-05-13</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-Alena-Miatlushka</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-Alena-Miatlushka</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Chronicles of Cork: No California? No Problem. Smart Wine Replacements at the LCBO]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Marcel Bregstein, CCM/Sommelier
Assistant General Manager, Toronto Hunt Club

It has been over a year and many of our favourite California, Oregon and Washington wines are still missing from LCBO shelves. If you&amp;rsquo;re struggling to replace the Cabs, Pinots and Chardonnays you used to love, the good news is that excellent alternatives exist &amp;mdash; often from the very regions where these grapes originally came from.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-05-05</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Smart-Wine-Replacements</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Smart-Wine-Replacements</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[CCM Certification: Why It Matters — and How to Get There]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[For club management professionals, experience is essential &amp;mdash; but recognized professional credibility is what sets leaders apart.

Earning your CCM is more than completing courses. It&amp;rsquo;s a structured professional journey that validates your knowledge, leadership ability, and commitment to excellence in club management.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-04-28</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/CCM-Certification-blog</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/CCM-Certification-blog</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Spotlight: Paul Cadieux]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Paul Cadieux, CCM
CMAC Ontario Branch &amp;ndash; President
General Manager &amp;amp; Chief Operating Officer, Bayview Golf &amp;amp; Country Club

Paul Cadieux is a highly experienced club management leader whose strategic vision and operational expertise help elevate member experiences and strengthen club communities across Ontario. With a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years at some of Canada&amp;rsquo;s most respected private clubs, Paul&amp;rsquo;s influence in the industry continues to make a meaningful impact.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-04-24</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-Paul-Cadieux</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/volunteer-Paul-Cadieux</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Spotlight: Bill Stepec]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Bill Stepec
CMAC Ontario Branch &amp;ndash; Membership, Marketing &amp;amp; Communications Chair
Director of Marketing &amp;amp; Communications, Ontario Racquet Club

Bill Stepec is an experienced club marketing professional with deep roots in the club industry and a strong commitment to advancing both club-level member engagement and broader industry development through volunteer leadership.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-04-22</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/bill-volunteer-feature-profile</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/bill-volunteer-feature-profile</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[2026 Idea Fair Entries]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[At the 2026&amp;nbsp;Annual Meeting held April 8, 2026&amp;nbsp;at the Oakdale Golf &amp;amp;&amp;nbsp;Country Club we showcased our 4th&amp;nbsp;Annual Idea Fair. Check out the entries!
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-04-20</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/2026%20Idea%20Fair%20Entries</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/2026%20Idea%20Fair%20Entries</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Responsible Stewardship in the Age of AI]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[By: Clayton Elliot and Brad Milligan
Co-Founder and CEO
AceCall.ai





Private club leadership has always been about stewardship.

Stewardship of culture.
Stewardship of reputation.
Stewardship of capital.
Stewardship of people.

General Managers and COOs operate at the intersection of&amp;nbsp;governance, operations, and member expectations. You are expected to see around corners, not just manage what is directly in front of you.

In 2026, one of those corners is artificial intelligence.


]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-04-14</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Age-of-AI</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Age-of-AI</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Spotlight: Martin Piché, CCM, BSc.]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Martin Pich&amp;eacute;, CCM, BSc.
CMAC Ontario Branch &amp;ndash; Secretary Treasurer
Chief Operating Officer, Scarboro Golf &amp;amp; Country Club

Martin Pich&amp;eacute; is a seasoned club management professional whose leadership and deep industry experience contribute to operational and strategic financial stewardship across the Ontario club sector.


]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-04-01</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/martin-volunteer-feature-profile</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/martin-volunteer-feature-profile</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Top 10 Reasons Clubs Should Hire Professional Golf Management (PGM) Students]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Andrew Vento
Program Coordinator
Humber College&amp;rsquo;s Professional Golf Management (PGM) program

If you&amp;rsquo;re passionate about golf and envision a future in the industry&amp;mdash;whether as a head professional, club manager, tournament organizer, instructor, or entrepreneur&amp;mdash;then you already know that success in this field takes more than a good swing. It requires a deep understanding of the business of golf, leadership skills, and strong industry connections. That&amp;rsquo;s exactly where a Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program comes in.
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-03-16</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/hiring-pgm-students</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/hiring-pgm-students</guid>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[Volunteer Spotlight: Kathleen Howard]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Kathleen Howard
Vice-Chair, Professional Development Committee &amp;amp; Chair, Member Engagement Committee &amp;mdash; CMAC Ontario Branch
Director of Food &amp;amp; Beverage, Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club

Kathleen Howard is a passionate club professional whose career has been shaped by a deep commitment to hospitality, mentorship, and building meaningful member experiences. With a strong foundation in food and beverage leadership and a genuine love for the club environment, Kathleen brings both operational expertise and heart to everything she does.


]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-03-02</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/kathleen-volunteer-feature-profile</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/kathleen-volunteer-feature-profile</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Why Nominating for the CMAC Ontario Branch Awards Matters]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Applications are open until March 15, 2026 at 5:00pm

Recognition is powerful. It motivates teams, strengthens community, and shines a spotlight on the people who make our industry &amp;mdash; and our association &amp;mdash; thrive. New this year, the CMAC Ontario Branch Awards Program is proud to recognize branch members who demonstrate leadership, creativity, support, and dedication to our community and the private club industry.




]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-02-11</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/CMAC-Ontario-Branch-Awards</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/CMAC-Ontario-Branch-Awards</guid>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[Introducing the Membership Engagement Committee]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Kathleen Howard
Director of Food and Beverage&amp;nbsp;
The Cricket Club

The Ontario Branch of CMAC is excited to introduce a new committee focused on one thing we all value: connection.


]]></description>
            <pubDate>2026-01-21</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Membership-Engagement-Committee</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/Membership-Engagement-Committee</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Leveraging Social Media for Recruitment in Canada]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Shaun Tyler
MBA, BComm, PGA of Canada Class &amp;quot;A&amp;quot;
Professor, Sport Management Program

Social media has revolutionized the way employers connect with potential hires and how job seekers find opportunities. With over 32 million active social media users in Canada&amp;mdash;82% of the population&amp;mdash;platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram have become critical tools in the recruitment landscape. This blog delves into some of the current trends, platform-specific strategies, and actionable tips for leveraging social media effectively for recruitment at your club.


]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-07-14</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/social-media-recruitment</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/social-media-recruitment</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Rewriting the House Rules: Curling gets a Fresh Spin]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Rob Matheson
Membership and Curling Manager
Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club

At Dundas Valley, we&amp;rsquo;ve really shifted how we think about curling. Sure, it&amp;rsquo;s still a sport &amp;mdash; but more than that, it&amp;rsquo;s a great excuse to bring people together. Around here, it&amp;rsquo;s just as much about who you&amp;rsquo;re playing with as what kind of shot you make.


]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-06-27</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/membership-and-curling</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/membership-and-curling</guid>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[From Sauté Pans to Spreadsheets: The Journey from Chef to Club Operations]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Nicholas D&amp;#39;Ovidio
Assistant General Manager
The Club at North Halton

Working in the kitchen gave me an invaluable &amp;#39;insider&amp;#39;s view&amp;#39; of the club. You&amp;#39;re at the heart of the action, privy to the daily rhythms and the nuances of member preferences. I heard their feedback, understood their routines, and learned what truly mattered to them. This knowledge, gained from the ground up, provided a unique advantage when I transitioned to a more member-facing role.&amp;nbsp;


]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-05-21</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/career-change</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/career-change</guid>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[2025 Idea Fair entries]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[At the 2025 Annual Meeting held April 2, 2025 at The Boulevard Club we showcased our 3rd Annual Idea Fair. Check out the entries!
]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-04-30</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/2025%20Idea%20Fair%20Entries</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/2025%20Idea%20Fair%20Entries</guid>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[Prioritizing Health &amp; Wellness in Club Management: A Practical Guide for Busy Professionals]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[Jennifer Kennedy
Fitness and Wellness Clinic Director
The Boulevard Club

As a club management professional, I understand how quickly the demands of the job can stack up&amp;mdash;whether it&amp;#39;s organizing events, managing staff, or ensuring that members have an exceptional experience. Your days are often filled with meetings, coordinating teams, and problem-solving on the fly. Amid this whirlwind of responsibilities, your own health and wellness can easily be sidelined. But maintaining your physical and mental well-being is not just important for your personal satisfaction&amp;mdash;it is also essential to your professional success.




]]></description>
            <pubDate>2025-04-15</pubDate>
            <link>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/health-wellness</link>
            <guid>https://cmacontario.com/blog/the-leaderboard/health-wellness</guid>
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