NGCOA Canada CEO, Jeff Calderwood, Announces Retirement

With heartfelt congratulations, the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada announces that Jeff Calderwood, our long-standing Chief Executive Officer, has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire, effective December 31, 2025.

While Jeff will be stepping down from his day-to-day leadership, we are pleased to share that he has agreed to continue in an advisory role, ensuring the Canadian golf industry will further benefit from his vast experience and visionary insights.

Jeff's impressive NGCOA Canada journey began prior to the official founding of the Association. That early work included researching and launching our very first national member benefit, the Golfmax Purchasing Program. 

Since those formative days, Jeff's leadership has grown NGCOA Canada from the ground up. Our membership now includes nearly 1500 Canadian golf courses and 170 industry partners across the country. 

Simultaneously, Jeff introduced additional member benefits each year, providing dozens of innovative programs that support the success of Canadian golf course operators.

Some of those NGCOA Canada highlights include:
  -  Founding Golf Business Canada Magazine
  -  Launching the Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show, Multi-Course Owners Summit, Golf Invitationals, Spring Warm-Ups, Red Books, and GEO Sustainable Golf
  -  Creating our Research Department, Advocacy Strategy, and Labour Solutions Initiatives
  -  Introducing various regional and national campaigns including Take A Kid To The Course, which grew to over 700 participating courses
  -  Expanding Golfmax to over $100 million per year in direct purchasing volume, plus an additional $1.7 billion in annual credit card processing
  -  Developing our new NGCOA Canada Foundation

Jeff also successfully developed NGCOA Canada Regional Chapters for all provinces, built an exceptionally high-powered staff team of 21, and implemented sophisticated association management infrastructure systems to support the Association's growth. 

Financially, he grew the NGCOA Canada from start-up status to an annual operating budget of $6 million and a very secure balance sheet that ensures future stability for delivering continued growth and benefits to all stakeholders. 

Jeff also served as Chair of the National Allied Golf Associations for 7 terms, led the creation of the Canadian Economic Impact Study and National Golf Day, and spent 6 successful years as CEO of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association. 

Over the years, he has conducted over 200 media interviews, promoting golf as both a great game and vital Canadian industry.

On behalf of our membership, board, staff, and partners across the country, we extend our deepest thanks to Jeff for his extraordinary contributions and commitment to our Association, and the great game of golf. What began in 1992 as a conceptual idea has emerged to become a cornerstone institution of Canada's golf industry due to his vision, leadership and drive.  

Congratulations, Jeff Calderwood -- and thank you!

Respectfully,

Richard Edmonds
President of the Board of Directors
NGCOA Canada