Roan Vollmer
Head Professional
Oakdale Golf and Country Club
Toronto, Ontario

Like Father, Like Son

Like father, like son. Roan Vollmer got used to rubbing shoulders with greatness at an early age – in the crib, as a matter of fact. The head professional at venerable Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Toronto is the son of Wayne Vollmer, a member of the B.C. Golf Hall of Fame, and current head honcho at Morgan Creek, in South Surrey B.C.

In fact, Vollmer can still remember calling his father after being named Oakdale’s head pro just last year.

“It was one of my most proud moments,” he says today.

No wonder. Few golf pros in Canada can state that they work at a Stanley Thompson designed gem with a membership that numbers 1,600 (and counting), and sports a staff of eight assistants, associates, and two teachers who are also legends in this country – Wilf Homenuik (former touring pro), and Bob Beauchemin (former commissioner of the Canadian Golf Tour).

“It was a great opportunity, and a dream come true [getting this job],” says Vollmer. “I had to step back a bit when I got the job and just breathe.” Then he phoned his father, who probably imparted some pearls of wisdom to the next generation of Vollmers – something he’s been doing since Roan was born in Prince George, B.C.

Oakdale is a 27-hole parkland gem that was built in 1926. Its three nines are named after Thompson, Homenuik, and Knudson, and each presents a formidable challenge to competitive players. Vollmer loves the private club experience, and making that experience a great one for a member is what his – and his staff’s – job is all about.

“Most of our members work in Toronto and they come here to get away from things. We want to make them to be free of all worries,” he says.

Oakdale is not only one of Canada’s largest membership clubs, but may be its most community spirited.

The annual Knudson pro-am raised over $300,000 for charity last year, and its 2009 Golf for the Cure event poured in as much money as any raised at any other private club in Canada. Oakdale’s caddy program also helps local kids make money while learning the game of golf. “That spirit of giving echoes across the golf club,” says Vollmer.

The spirit of TaylorMade adidas echoes around Oakdale in a big way as well. It’s the top seller in the 1,500 square foot Oakdale Pro Shop and the entire staff is decked out in the latest adidas gear. Vollmer’s been a TaylorMade staffer for three years now, and thinks the irons are the best he’s ever hit.

Comments:

The comments are closed.