Life with a
CSCM Member
Partners and spouses of CSCM
members talk about what it’s like to
be tied to the industry
I really enjoy moderating these panel interviews – or at least
I did until the committee decided we should do one about
club managers’ better halves! Though I guess if there was ever
a time to do a piece like this, it’s now. I don’t recall who came up
with the idea for this article topic, but it was a little challenging to
come up with the appropriate questions – questions that were fun
yet professional, authentic without being too intrusive. For quite
a few years, I’ve experienced firsthand how tight-knit a group the
CSCM really is, but I’m sure we all have boundaries between our
work/colleagues and our home life.
Now that this article is in the rear-view mirror, I’m grateful
that these couples agreed to participate, because I know not
everyone may have the time or interest to let us glimpse inside
their lives at home. Cheers to Minnie, Todd, Beth, Mandy and Amy!
Minnie and Brian Mossop, MBA*
Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club
Vancouver, B.C.
Todd and Liz McDowell, CCM, CPA, CA*
York Downs Golf and Country Club
Unionville, Ont.
Beth MacMillan and Rich Morel*
Carrying Place Golf and Country Club
King, Ont.
Mandy Downes and Phil Scully*
Granite Golf Club
Stouffville, Ont.
Amy and Paul Morrell, CCM, CCE*
Ontario Racquet Club
Mississauga, Ont.
* Denotes CSCM member
Moderated by Ryan Tracy, PGA
How have the two of you managed COVID and
working from home?
Minnie: I would say we survived. There was a very challenging
period of time for three or four months last spring/summer when
I was coming off of maternity leave, still taking care of the baby
at home (childcare wasn’t open yet), was back to work (teaching
online) and I was working on my dissertation. Thankfully, Brian
was at home quite a bit to help with the baby, but that also
presents challenges – he paces while he talks on the phone. We
had to move our workstations a few times and I needed to attend
a meeting with a special guest (baby), but as time went by, like
others, I believe it became our new normal. I am not saying it is
easier now. It is still challenging, but we are more familiar with
the situation and we have learned to better organize our busy
schedules (e.g., sharing calendars). I feel though our partnership
has grown during this time.
Todd: I think that we have done a good job of balancing the
challenges that the past 12 months presented. Both Liz and I work
in industries and roles that required us to be at our workplace
more days than not, so that added an extra challenge. While
working from home has its challenges, in many ways committing
fully to work from home would have been easier, particularly
while managing our three young kids, who were doing virtual
home school.
Liz and I needed to be flexible to ensure that one of the two
of us was at home each day. As we all learned, things can change
quickly, and you need to pivot and adapt. This was important
not only for our jobs, but also in managing our home life. I am
proud of how we have been able to adapt, and adopt a “just get it
done” mindset. It helps that we both respect each other’s careers
and the shared responsibilities at home while understanding our
most important job is raising our kids. COVID has been difficult
for them in many ways, and Liz and I have worked hard to ensure
we minimize the negative impact on them as much as possible.
8 § The Canadian Society of Club Managers § www.cscm.org
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