Golf Canada has had an internal re-organization within the Executive Team including expanded roles and areas of focus. These changes were shared with staff in December in conjunction with the announcement of Kevin Blue as Golf Canada’s new Chief Sport Officer. The snapshot below is from an internal memo sent to staff by CEO Laurence Applebaum and outlines the changes to Golf Canada’s Executive Team which formally took effect on Monday, January 4, 2021.
We are extremely pleased to share a number of changes to Golf Canada’s Executive Team, including the announcement of Kevin Blue as our new Chief Sport Officer. All changes outlined below are effective January 4, 2021.
We are excited to welcome Kevin Blue to Golf Canada in the role of Chief Sport Officer. Kevin joins Golf Canada from the University of California, Davis as the former Director of Athletics. Kevin is an accomplished executive, administrator, coach, and high-performance golfer who will champion Golf Canada’s participation and high-performance activities. Additionally, Kevin will also oversee Golf Services and drive the efforts of Golf Canada’s critical membership and services to facilities and golfers across the country. His direct reports include Adam Helmer, Senior Director, Golf Services; Adam Hunter, Senior Manager, Grow the Game; Emily Phoenix, Manager, High Performance Sport; Derek Ingram, Men’s Head Coach; Tristan Mullaly, Women’s Head Coach; and Robert Ratcliffe, Head Coach, National Junior Squad.
Vanessa Morbi, previously the Senior Director of Marketing, has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer. Vanessa’s new role will oversee all areas of Marketing including Brand, Digital, and now Communications. With these departments working together, the team is ideally aligned to provide support for the business from a marketing perspective. Reporting into Vanessa will be Marianne Baker, Director, Brand; Ljubomir Gorscak, Director, CRM, and Business Analysis; and Dan Pino, Senior Director, Communications. Dan will also have a dotted line reporting into CEO Laurence Applebaum for Corporate Communications.
John Sibley, in his position of Chief Commercial Officer, will now have full management of Golf Canada sales and partnerships in addition to overseeing both Professional Championships, the RBC Canadian Open and CP Women’s Open. This will ensure that sales, partnerships, and operations continue to work in full alignment. Reporting directly to John are Craig Sharp, Senior Director, Partnerships; Jason Diplock, Senior Director, Sales; Ryan Paul, Tournament Director, CP Women’s Open; and Bryan Crawford, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open.
Garrett Ball has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer to better reflect his extensive role within Golf Canada. Garrett will continue to manage the areas of Finance, IT and Heritage as well as have oversight of all Operations as well as leading efforts for Golf Canada on key strategic projects. Reporting into Garrett will be Natalie Henein, Director, Finance; O’Neal Taylor, Manager, Information Technology; and Meggan Gardner, Director, Heritage Services. He will also have a dotted line reporting into him from Ryan Paul, Tournament Director, CP Women’s Open and Bryan Crawford, Tournament Director, RBC Canadian Open.
Alison Richmond, Senior Director, Human Resources has made the personal decision after 25 years to begin a transition into semi-retirement. Beginning in January 2021, Alison will be working a slightly reduced schedule. As a result, Alison and the Human Resources and Administration department will report into Garrett Ball as COO. Alison will continue to be a member of the Executive Team with a dotted line reporting into Laurence Applebaum.
