By / Jessica Kirby
Leading up to the conference in Niagara Falls, the TIAC Board wanted to find a way to connect its members on a more local level. Everyone understands the toll that the pandemic has had, so TIAC organized, in partnership with the provincial associations, Golf Day, which collaborated with several associations and members across the country.
Despite how busy members in the MIA and BCICA are, TIAC managed to get a few foursomes out to play in Toronto and Surrey. To avoid competing with AIQ’s 36th annual golf tournament, which had already been scheduled for mid-September, TIAC supported their event and enjoyed a beautiful day on the greens in Montreal with 72 other players.
In Toronto, a small but dedicated group came out to participate in Golf Day. Beautiful weather and camaraderie bought players on a warm but breezy day for fun and a kickstart to the return of in-person events.
“I golfed with Joe Sr. (retired) and Bob Trottier (Crossroads), and we have all golfed together before, so we did have fun,” says Joey Fabing, owner of Custom Insulation and TIAC president. “This idea of a golf day was to get TIAC members out to socialize with each other since we had not seen each other in more than a year. It was meant to start the TIAC engine again and get the machine rolling.”
Out in Alberta, TIAA jumped on opportunity to partner with TIAC and bring its Edmonton members together.
“The Edmonton Golf Day was planned for August 23, and once advertised, there was quick uptake as folks were excited to get out and spend a day on the links together,” says David Reburn, TIAC board member who came up with the idea for the Golf Day event. “The spring and summer had seen record high temperatures and there had been little rain all year. Despite this, I checked the course ahead of time and it was in great shape. With 24 registered golfers, we planned our tee-off time for 8:00 a.m.
TIAA Golf
Reburn was packing up his gear at about 6:30 a.m. in a slight drizzle. It resembled the morning before, but that day had ended up being cloudy but warm—perfect weather for a day on the course.
“As I made my way to the course, the rain worsened, and temperatures weren’t getting any warmer,” he says. “It was sitting about nine degrees. I arrived at the course around seven and by then it was pouring and getting windy. The course was deserted. In fact, the only car in the lot belonged to the general manager, Mark Beck. Mark Trevors, Director of Alberta and my co-organizer, arrived shortly afterwards.”
Trevors and Reburn went into the GM’s office and heard him speaking with his superintendent, using words like “standing water” and “pools” to describe the condition of the course.
“We soon learned that the Golf Day was a bust and that this would be the only day in 2021 that the course would be completely closed,” Reburn says.
However, despite the pouring rain and 30 to 60 km per hour winds, the TIAA/TIAC members began to arrive. Reburn and Trevors announced that golf was cancelled, but TIAC and TIAA would sponsor a breakfast in the clubhouse.
“Everyone was happy to spend the time socializing,” Reburn says. “We held door prize draws valued at about $900 total. All in all, 22 of the 24 registered golfers showed up, along with three retired TIAA members who just came to see old friends.”
Everyone stayed and visited for three hours or so and, despite the lack of golf, a great time was had by all. The camaraderie and joviality in the room spoke to the spirit of a group who have not just been dealing with COVID-19 but a shattered economy for their industry, as well.
And in Quebec, the AIQ was hard at work planning its 36th Annual Golf Tournament right around the time TIAC was holding Golf Day. In the spirit of collaboration, the two events joined forces, bringing 72 players out to Golf de l’île de Montréal for a day of friendly competition and camaraderie at the AIQ’s event.
AIQ Golf
“This was important event for everyone,” says Steve Huculiak, organizer of Golf Day in Quebec and AIQ member. “It was a day to reconnect and bring back this family-like association that we have and talk face-to-face.”
He adds that the AIQ is moving ever closer to being part of the big family that is TIAC. “We are proud that AIQ is getting more involved in TIAC’s events and connecting with the people across Canada,” Huculiak says.
As the TIAC board looks back, the tournament this year was a success, and many thanks are due.
Thanks to the organizing committee, from west to east, Chris Ishkanian, David Reburn, Jack Litton, Bob Friesen, Todd Hassen, Bob Fellows, Tim Pullyblank, Steve Huculiak, and Ron Douglas.
Thanks to the provincial association partners for their support – BCICA, TIAA, MIA, and AIQ.
And finally, thanks to the members who participated in each city. The TIAC Board looks forward to connecting with the membership again soon! ▪
