The Brilliant Audacity of the Canadian Golf Brands Alliance

I will come out and state my positive bias toward this organization and its vision, “The Canadian Golf Brand Alliance envisions a future where Canadian Golf Brands are the first choice for the entirety of the Canadian golf ecosystem.”  I am serving on the Board of Directors now for CGBA and am working with other leaders in the golf industry to build this organization.  That aside, the idea is so simple – form a coalition of Canadian Golf Brands to support the advocacy, awareness building and partnership development with a goal of bolstering Canadian golf brands for Canadian golf consumers.

The impact of Can-Con in the music industry has been significant and positive, helping to ensure Canadian ears hear Canadian music.  While I do not believe CGBA should pursue similar structure, things like collaborative marketing, national advocacy and partnership development can have a positive impact.

CGBA is in its early developmental phase.  We’re seemingly building the car while we drive it.  The process has taken some important steps – hiring Dustin Rivers within the newly incorporated organization as its Executive Director.  A Board of Directors is being constructed and operational plans are being developed to help support the pillars of advocacy, marketing and partnership.  A new website - https://canadianbrands.golf/ - will help people learn more this organization and provide space for us to share stories of success.

But let’s step back and think about the big picture.  On March 14, Rick Young, with SCOREGolf, wrote about the emergence of CGBA, quoting Alliance founder and co-founder of Dormie Workshop, Todd Bishop, “I believe golfers in this country are primed and ready to support Canadian-made golf products like no other time in our history,”.  A response to rhetoric from the United States about Canada becoming a US State?  Perhaps.  But deep down, it is simply a good idea.

My personal experience from an entrepreneurship space both at the Toronto Golf Show the past few years and last year at the PGA of Alberta Buying Show is that golfers and industry leaders are starting to explore quality Canadian golf brand options.   The Alliance is simply a logical extension to help make these processes easier for consumers, industry leaders and businesses themselves. 

While it seems simple, large retailers and national organizations have relationships with international golf companies.  These relationships run deep.  I do not dismiss the quality of their products; I own many myself.  But there is a sense within smaller Canadian golf brands (and larger ones) that equitable access is denied.  I share this from anecdotal stories shared by other golf brand leaders.  Personally, I understand the past relationships which have formed as they create a strong win-win for national bodies and leading golf brands.  But my sense is things are changing.  Quickly.  And we want to be at the vanguard of that change to simply give equitable access to quality brands to Canadian consumers.  I revel in the audacity of what we’re trying to do, and it is the voices of Canadian golf consumers whom I meet at these shows who are seeking to ‘Buy Canadian’ in the golf retail space that fuels my engagement within CGBA.  I admit I have vested interests as an entrepreneur, but a high tide raises all boats.  And with 15 members now, this Alliance is growing.

Let’s check in again in the future, and I invite you to look into CGBA and learn more.  Ask your pro shop and retailers how they are supporting Canadian golf brands.  Do you have the access you’re seeking?  Let’s work together.  In the meantime, what a ride this is going to be!