Manitoba Golf Guide

M A N I T O B A Take your game to the next level! Expires May 31/17 LAC DU BONNET, MB Tee times can be booked at 204-345-4653 or toll free at 855-593-3306 www.granitehills.ca Book your next tee time at the GRANITE HILLS GOLF CLUB 14 DAY ADVANCE BOOKINGS • GIFT CARDS SPRING SPECIAL Green Fee with power cart $ 46 03 GOLF GUIDE 2017 say the name the way they'd do it in French. Then I would say it back to them over and over again until they said, 'Yep, you've got it.' When I announced that person's name, often the player would come over and thank me because they're not accustomed to that." McLeod says one of his fondest memories is from the du Maurier Classic ladies event held at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg in 1992, when a player from Columbia with a tricky six- syllable name noted his artful articulation. "I pulled her caddy aside and I went through it with him about 10 to 15 times," McLeod says. "I announced her name and after she hit her ball, she came over and hugged me. She said, 'You know, I don't even get my name pronounced correctly in Columbia. You nailed it.' I felt really good about that and I realized then just how important it is to them. That's why I go the extra mile." McLeod served for 20 years on the board of the Manitoba Golf Association, and was the association's president in the early 2000s when it merged with the Manitoba Ladies Golf Association to form Golf Manitoba. He was also instrumental in the formation and inauguration of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum. Nationally, McLeod served with Golf Canada as Manitoba's Class "C" governor for 10 years, participating in numerous committees during his time as governor. Following Golf Canada's governance change in 2011, he became a member of the association's Governors Council, served on the membership committee and was chair of the Canadian Turf Grass Research Foundation until 2015. In October, McLeod received Golf Manitoba's Distinguished Service Award for 2016 for his long service to both Golf Manitoba and the Manitoba Ladies Golf Association and his commitment to amateur golf in this province. In February, McLeod was honoured with Golf Canada's 2016 Volunteer of the Year award. He was a co-recipient along with Bill Klein of Parksville, B.C. Candidates for the award are nominated by their respective provincial associations in acknowledgement of their significant contributions to the game of golf. Adam Helmer, director of rules and competitions for Golf Canada, says McLeod remains the association's go-to person for chairing amateur tournaments in Manitoba and elsewhere on the Prairies. "He's the kind of guy that makes an event enjoyable," he says. Dave Comaskey, executive director of Golf Manitoba, calls McLeod an extremely valuable volunteer. "His professionalism and dedication are amazing and we are very fortunate to have someone with his passion give so freely of his time and expertise. We are very pleased to see George's years of service continue to be recognized," he says. McLeod, who took up golf 50 years ago while attending the University of North Dakota, continues to play whenever he can at the Shilo Golf and Country Club course not far from his Brandon home. "I'm retired now, so there's lots of time for golf," he laughs. "I play about four days a week. I golf in a Monday league, a Tuesday league, a Wednesday league, and then on weekends the good old boys get together for a bragging session." George McLeod accepting his Golf Canada's 2016 Volunteer of the Year award from Don MacKay, a director on Golf Canada's board, at the association's annual general meeting in Toronto in February. Photo: Golf Canada.

• Cover