DIALOGUE
We both have enjoyed the extra time we have been able to have
with the kids.
Beth: COVID did not have the same effect on us as it did on
many couples. As a veterinarian, I am considered an essential
service and, as a result, I continued to work during the entire
pandemic. Rich split his time between working from home and at
the club. Our life continued fairly uninterrupted.
Mandy: I always enjoyed working from home so being able
to do it full-time has worked well for me, though like most people
I found my workdays getting much longer and the distraction of
having one or more kids learning from home has been an added
challenge. Phil has been able to continue to work from his office,
which has definitely benefitted the club from a productivity level!
Amy: We have made it work, but it has not been easy (I am
sure this is the case for most families). I have been home since last
March, working 60 hours a week; and then in September, I took
a professional development leave to complete a master’s degree
program full-time. Paul worked from home a few days during the
first shutdown, but ultimately his role requires him to be present
at the club.
We have a young son, who has been home off and on as schools
cycle between in-person and virtual learning. This has made it
quite challenging for us to manage all our competing demands.
What are the biggest challenges in having a spouse/
partner in the club industry?
Minnie: Easy – the time commitment required. Especially during
the pandemic, his work extended well into “off hours,” which I
understand, but of course selfishly I want him to be with the family.
Todd: From my vantage point, I think the club industry is a
very good industry and I am really happy that Liz has found an
area that she can leverage all of her skillsets and be able to thrive
as she has. If there is a challenge, I would say that it is managing
and supporting the long hours that come with the role. It is not
your typical “nine to five” role or industry, and as one of the faces
of a club, you need to be there, which often means unconventional
hours, evening and weekend functions. As a spouse, that means
supporting as best I and the kids can, and being flexible. This
was highlighted during the pandemic as golf was one of the first
industries to get back to some sort of functioning normal. While
most families were locking down at home, Liz and many others in
the golf industry were kicking into overdrive to get operational.
Beth: The hours and managing work-life balance. Fortunately,
we are both very busy people, but it can make committing to
social events difficult, especially during the summer months.
Mandy: I live for summer, so it’s always been bittersweet
knowing that longer, warmer days mean a much busier and more
hectic time for your partner. And yet, we try to balance it out by
getting away somewhere warm in the winter, which I love because
it’s an escape from the cold, however brief, and we always have so
much fun travelling as a family.
Amy: There is no “off“ switch. His job is 24/7, and usually
takes priority in order to serve members and the board.
Do you think being a club manager has changed your
partner/spouse at all? If so, how?
Minnie: Brian and I first met in 2009 and he was a young club
manager back then. He has always been a club manager; since
that time, I would say the biggest thing that has changed is that
he has salt and pepper hair now.
Todd: I wouldn’t say that it has changed her, but rather it has
allowed Liz to evolve and flourish. With her Chartered Accountant
designation and strong background in accounting, this role
has elevated her from a financial lens to a business manager/
generalist. It has nudged her out of what was her comfort zone
and allowed her to grow both professionally and personally.
Specifically, it has allowed her leadership skills to shine
through and continue to evolve. It has been fun as her spouse to
CMQ § Spring 2021 § 9