GOLF BUSINESS by Rick Drennan, Senior Writer
Few names in Canadian golf resonate with such clarity and generational sweep as ‘Fletcher.’
Pat Fletcher was the last homebrew to win our national men’s open, turning the trick in 1954, a full 66 years ago. His son Ted is the Founder of Mint Green Group, a pillar of the golf industry, which began from his love of sports and penchant for sales in 1974. It is headquartered in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, with an office in Toronto, and has an impressive roster of brands in golf, tennis, and licensed sports.
Mint Green’s Golf business has always been built on leading brands in the equipment, apparel and footwear categories, including Srixon, Cleveland, XXIO, Greg Norman, and previously, Cobra Puma Golf. Earlier this year, Mint Green announced a new partnership with Nike Golf & Tennis as their exclusive Canadian distributor – a partnership that may represent the greatest chapter yet in Mint Green’s 46-year history. “Partnering with Nike is a game changer for us,” said Fletcher.
Ted Fletcher is an elegant and self-effacing man, a natty dresser, with a conservative, buttoned down style. He is an engaging conversationalist, and best known in the golf industry as a wise counsel, unafraid to express his opinions. He’s a former governor with the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada) and was recently named chair of the selection committee of the Canada Golf Hall of Fame, taking over from the legendary Sandra Post, the 8-time LPGA Tour winner.
In 2021, The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame will celebrate its 50th anniversary. As part of the festivities, The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame will be recognizing the 50 Greatest Moments in Canadian Golf. One of these 50 is sure to include Ted’s father, Pat Fletcher, winning the 1954 Canadian Open.
This generational passing of the baton continues with Ted’s 2 daughters, Joanne, who is the CEO of Mint Green and spearheaded the new Nike partnership. Her sister, Lynn, has taken over day-to-day operations of the Pat Fletcher Scholarship Foundation, committed to giving deserving young Canadians the financial assistance needed to pursue a post-secondary education. It has donated approximately $750,000 to student golfers in need of financial assistance.
This past year, another 25 students were awarded scholarships, meaning over 500 students have benefited since it began after Pat Fletcher’s passing in 1985. Each nominee has to show economic need, then submit an essay about the Foundation’s namesake. Reading these write-ups is an emotional experience for Ted, who thinks the foundation is “the most important thing I’ve ever done in the game. Carrying on my father’s name through these scholarships is great, especially knowing how much he valued education.”
This year, the foundation reached deeper into the game than ever before and is trying to reach more Canadians. It has become more transparent and wants stakeholders everywhere to nominate deserving youth. “We also want to do a better job on following up with past winners to see how they have been doing in their careers,” said Ted.
All this positivity coming from the Fletcher camp, is juxtaposed against the challenging backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and an economic re-ordering.
Fletcher is sensitive to impacts of the Pandemic, but also thrilled by studies showing that there’s been a huge uptick in golf’s participation rates this past summer. The numbers show these players are newcomers to the game, younger, and more diverse.
Fletcher predicts industry manufacturers, PGA Professionals and retailers like Golf Town, Sport Chek, and others, will benefit this off-season as this new wave of players looks for an assortment of golf gear. “The markets led us in the right direction,” he said. “This past year has been a windfall for the golf business.”
The Fletcher dynasty is as Canadian as maple syrup and has dripped down from father to son and from Ted to a third generation. But the baton’s pass might get one more hand-off.
Ted says his four grandchildren are showing “definite signs” of being interested in getting involved in the game.
The name Fletcher was chiseled into our national consciousness when a head professional from Saskatoon Golf & Country Club shocked the world and won The Canadian Open 66 years ago.
But he made his other mark on the game as a successful club pro and teacher.
“My dad never gave me any particular advice about working in the game when I was young,” remembers Ted. “I would just watch him work, and how he interacted with his members. I loved the way he ran his shop, the way he treated people, and how he treated staff. He was the most disciplined man I ever knew. I guess I learned by osmosis.”
The Fletcher kids and grandkids are doing the same.
It’s clear the Mint Green Model under Ted Fletcher is working and promises to be around for generations to come.
