613golfer by Bauder Media Group Inc.

Covid 19 through a wrench into so many aspects of our lives for the past two years. Closer to home for those of us in the golf industry is despite how the industry has thrived somewhat for the past two golf season, charity golf has been an area that has struggled because of all the restriction surrounding gatherings and clubhouse socialization. Charity and golf go hand in hand and without golf courses being able to host charity tournaments many charities have simply been unable to raise the same funds they have in the past.

One of my absolute favourite golf events of the season is the Intersectionals. These club team events have so much history and involve such a large population of golfers throughout the region it is truly hard not to fall in love with the format. After having to take some time off because of COVID-19 limitations and safety measures, the Intersectionals are back back for 2021 across the board which means it is game on for the clubs of the region and bragging rights are reborn...Let's Go!

Well it is in full force now...the golf tournament season that is! On this episode of the 613 Golfer I take a look back over the past 4-5 days at some of the event that have taken place, and there are some BIG ones, including our own Flagstick Open. Scott MacLeod took the time to interview each of our Division Champions as well as our Flagstick Open Champion...Brennan Smith and I cant wait for you to listen to what they had to say. Some BIG announcements were finally made about the OVGA Golf Hall Of Fame and I...

Not every episode of the 613 Golfer Podcast is filled from start to finish with happy news about golf throughout the region. From time to time some news has to be shared that is a bit on the sad side and the closer this news hits to home the worse it can be. In this episode I am joined by Scott MacLeod, my good friend and Associate Publisher of Flagstick Magazine to talk about a number of things but in particular the recent passing of a former Executive Director of Golf Ontario and a very close friend of ours...Dave...

In this episode of 613 Golfer Podcast I switched gears a bit from memories of Flagstick, interviews with Golf Pros and Course Managers to in my opinion one the hidden heroes of competitive golf...the Rules Official or as they are called now "Referees". While you wont likely hear any stories of foursome brawls on the back nine, there certainly is some very interesting conversation about the people you like to see as little as possible in a round of golf but could very well be your best friend too.

This episode of the 613 Golfer Podcast is not one to miss. In past episodes we have spoken to people about their journey, the path they have taken to get to this point in their lives or careers. As Flagstick celebrates its 25th Anniversary of publishing and serving as the voice of golf throughout this region...I thought maybe we could take a trip down the rabbit hole that is our journey and see where it leads us.

My own journey started the way I envisioned it but I certainly didn't follow the path I thought I would, however, I ended up doing exactly what I wanted to do.

After being in the golf business for well over 30 years of my life I can guarantee one thing...it has not come without sacrifice, hard work and pure passion. No knid of success truly is achieved without putting in the work first and nobody puts in the kind of work that is required without a level of passion and commitment above others. My guest on this week's Episode of 613 Golfer is Royal Ottawa's Derek MacDonlald and I can tell you that although only a younger PGA of Canada Teaching Professional he is no stranger to any of those things. <...

One thing is certain about the golf industry, there are really is no script for how you can find your place in golf. Whether your goal is to become a playing professional, an course manager, a sales rep or a golf instructor, the path may seem obvious to some while others take a journey that they would never have expected to lead them to where the are but that was certainly the case for Ottawa Hunt's Head Teaching Professional, Dave Kalil.

I have had the opportunity to meet and become good friends with a lot of people in the golf industry over my 25 years publishing Flagstick Golf Magazine but we generally remember the earliest relationships and how they were built.

It has always been said that the golf season really doesnt get started until the first edition of FLagstick Golf Magazine hits the newstand. Of course it is not so much the nesstand as it is your inbox but nevertheless the first edition of Flagstick Golf Magazine has been released and in it the most anticipated part of the issue...HOT PICKS 2K21.

It's Master Weekend and that generally means that in a normal golf season around the 613 Region that golf courses would just be starting to get open but not to the level we are at this season. As we see close to 40 courses throughout the region opening you cant help but get crazy excited about golf.

Just as we thought golf course were going to be openings in masses this holiday weekend we get the a snow arriving weather forcast. That said, who cares...there are plenty of driving ranges open for business and the cold snap should only last for a couple days anyway, but at least you have this Podcast to keep you company.

Now that golf courses are finally opening and golfers throughout the 613 are flocking to the open driving ranges to get ready for their first rounds of the year, the 613 Golfer Podcast is beginning to evolve. As we begin to progress into the golf season our show will start to add some new segments and elements to keep everyone informed and golf ready.

As the start of the golf season in the 613 inches closer, more and more information starts to come out about how the golf scene is going to shape up for the new season. As that continues to happen we are going to get the people on the show to shed some light on the many changes that we might see to get us a bit more motivated for golf.

Building on our successful first episode launch, the 613 Golfer Podcast is bringing some exciting content to episode 2. Featuring interviews with Canadian Pro Shop Online's Lee Tamburano and Chris Veltkamp of the Play Junior Golf Tour, there should be something for any 613 Golfer to enjoy listening.

Getting back to the roots of Flagstick Golf Magazine being a publication serving Eastern Ontario and the National Capital Region, the 613 Golfer Podcast aims to reach out and talk golf on both the YouTube and Audio Podcast Platforms and our first episode does just that.