Doug Robb (left) started his new job as the generel manager of the Osoyoos Golf Club on Monday. Robb, who has worked in the golf industry for 30 years, said he’s excited about the challenge of operating a beautifuil 36-hole facility. Robb is seen with the club’s board chair Herb Wycherley. (Keith Lacey photo)
A man who has spent 30 years in the golf business is thrilled to have landed in Osoyoos as the new general manager of the Osoyoos Golf Club.
Doug Robb was hired a couple of weeks ago and started his new position on Monday.
“We just moved here and we already love the community and we love the golf course,” said Robb. “There’s a lot of opportunities to improve this club … and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Robb, who spent much of his life in Calgary, played professional hockey for five years before returning to his first passion of golf.
He was a late round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 1978 and played four years in the American Hockey League, before heading over to Europe, where he played for one season in Italy before retiring from hockey.
Being able to attend the training camp of the Canadiens, who were in the midst of winning four consecutive Stanley Cup championships, is something he will never forget, said Robb.
“That’s where I learned to be a professional,” he said. “To be surrounded by that group … maybe the best hockey team of all time, was just a tremendous learning experience.”
Those Habs teams included legends like Guy Lafleur, Jacques Lemaire, Larry Robinson, Serge Savard, Steve Shutt, Yvan Cournoyer, Ken Dryden, Guy Lapointe, Mark Napier and Pierre Mondou.
Robb said his passion for golf started at a young age and never disappeared and he was excited to be offered a job as an assistant professional at the Fernie Golf Club soon after retiring from hockey.
“From the time I was a junior golfer, I really wanted to be able to try and make a living from the game I loved,” he said. “Back in those days, you had to apply to become an apprentice for four or five years under a head professional.
“I was lucky enough to be offered an apprenticeship at the Fernie Golf Club. I eventually became the head pro and then director of golf and ended up working at that course for 22 years.”
After more than two decades working in a job he loved, Robb said he was looking for a new challenge when he accepted a position to become general manager of the High River Golf Course located 20 minutes south of Calgary.
He held that position for five years before accepting a job as director of golf at Kokanee Springs Golf Club in Crawford Bay, B.C.
He had “heard through the grapevine” that Lee Sapach had handed in his resignation as the general manager of Osoyoos Golf Club and decided to apply for the position two months ago.
The board of directors at Osoyoos Golf Club contacted him about a month ago and held three interviews – one on the phone and two in person – and offered him the job the first week in November.
Robb, his wife Corliss and his daughter Meran moved to Osoyoos last week and they spent the Remembrance Day long weekend looking for lodging in Osoyoos.
Robb said having the opportunity to work at one of the few 36-hole golf operations in Canada in a beautiful town like Osoyoos was too good to turn down.
“This golf course is already beautiful, but it also has a lot of potential to be even better,” he said. “There are not a lot of opportunities out there to be a general manager of a beautiful 36-hole operation like this and it’s a real privilege to be here.”
Robb said he’s looking forward to meeting the club’s membership over the coming weeks and preparing for the 2018 golf season in the spring.
His goal as general manager is to make playing and visiting Osoyoos Golf Club an enjoyable experience for every member, green fee player and tournament visitor, said Robb.
“I want people to enjoy a wonderful golf experience and a wonderful social experience,” he said. “We’ll be focusing on some of the things that I think need to be updated and make this place a relevant and wonderful place to play golf, enjoy a meal and generally have a terrific time.”
Robb said there aren’t many better jobs than being in charge of a golf club where the members are happy and the club is busy and making a profit.
“You’re generally surrounded by people who are enjoying themselves and are nice to be around,” he said. “My job is to ensure everyone who comes to the course is having a very enjoyable golf experience and the golf course is the very best it can be.”
The current management at the golf club is excellent as he’s heard nothing but positive things about new head professional Colin Snair and longtime course superintendent Mike Harrison, said Robb.
“From everything I’ve heard, I think we have an excellent team in place and I’m looking forward to working with them as we move this place forward,” he said. “I’m going to try and bring a few new things I believe are needed at every golf club and we’ll see what happens. I can’t wait to get started.”
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
