Kevin Thistle, current CEO of the PGA of Canada, and his partners have been awarded a 10-year contract to manage play, pro shops, and food and beverage at Toronto’s five municipal golf courses. Thistle, who grew up playing on these courses, will invest $786,000 in capital upgrades over the first five years of the contract. The deal includes options for two five-year renewals and a revenue-sharing arrangement between the City of Toronto and Thistle’s group. Thistle plans to prioritize community outreach, diversity hiring, and customer service improvements at the courses.
Thistle said he has no plans to leave the PGA of Canada. Thistle said he and his partners — Michael Flannagan and Lance Marrihew of Total e Integrated — will take a hands-off approach when it comes to management so he can focus on his job with the PGA. Total e Integrated is a leading provider of end-to-end business management solutions for recreation, retail, hospitality and community organizations. For over 15 years Total e Integrated has helped multi-faceted organizations to integrate departments, automate marketing, streamline operations and boost revenues with our innovative solutions and expert consulting services team.
Thistle’s group will invest $786,000 in capital upgrades in the first five years of the contract to better the courses, clubhouses and practice facilities. They also have plans for free golf clinics for underrepresented communities, Indigenous presence, diverse hiring practices, customer service improvements and fun events such as Easter egg hunts for local kids.
