Adam Tobin
About
Professional Profile: Adam Tobin
Contact Email: adamt@whistlebear.ca
Contact Phone: 519-650-2327
My Current Position: Director of Golf, Whistle Bear Golf Club. I am currently the leader of a year-round club with 850+ members. Leading a team of service orientated Golf Professionals who provide an outstanding golf experience to the members and their guests through detailed service levels and extraordinary golf events. Operating The Golf Shop at Whistle Bear and continually offering members with a unique retail experience.
I am fortunate to employ a large team of professionals including operational staff, instruction team members, and professional fitters. Whistle Bear GC has over 120 staff members while operating a year-round facility. We have evolved into a family focused community as a place to celebrate milestones with 3 banquet facilities.
Our multi use clubhouse offers a fitness center, indoor golf simulators, business offices, and large locker room facilities for members and their guests. At our practice facility we operate a golf academy that services the region of Kitchener/Waterloo with leading instructional programs, club fitting, and junior clinics. We also boost a large junior development program and team that The Club continues to be proud of.
My PGA of Canada History: I began working in the golf industry at the age of 16. I was born and raised on the east coast of Canada and once my education was completed, I pursued industry focused positions around the country. I played into the PGA of Canada by completing my PAT in British Columbia in 2009 and obtained my Class A status in 2011.
I have always believed that every professional should be actively engaged in the PGA by supporting educational opportunities, volunteering their time, and attending all networking options. I foster this atmosphere with my staff on a regular basis.
My most important role has been mentoring professionals throughout the past 15 years within my team and throughout the association. I enjoy speaking to new professionals about career mapping in hopes they can gather any important information. Representing the PGA of Canada and the people, we interact, and influence is an honor I deeply respect.
Career Influences: I have many professionals that have helped me throughout my career and those that continue to inspire and move the needle throughout our association.
Currently I look to my fellow colleagues who continue to do wonderful things throughout the business. My twin brother continues to influence my professional career and holds the positions as General Manager at The Oakfield Golf & Country Club.
Past Employment History:
Bell Bay Golf Club: 2004-2006
Fairmont Hotels 2006-2009
Tobiano Golf Resort 2009-2011
Whistle Bear Golf Club 2011-2013
St Georges Golf & Country Club 2013-2015
Whistle Bear Golf Club 2015-Present
Education History:
Cape Breton University: Business majoring in Human Resources
Wilfred Laurier (GMIC): Golf Operations
Disney Resorts: Continued Education
Ritz Carleton: Continued Education
Awards Received:
2010: PGA of BC- Best Golf Shop in the Region
2012: Inducted into The Nova Scotia Legislature
2012: PGA of Ontario Apprentice Golf Professional of the Year
2016: PGA of Ontario Retailer of the Year
2016: PGA of Canada Retailer of the Year
2018: PGA of Ontario Club Professional of the Year
Associations: PGA of Canada, BPG Buying Group, Canadian Society of Club Managers, Association of Golf Merchandisers.
Partnerships: I am a proud member of the Acushnet Canada Leadership Advisory Committee and the Levelwear Clubhouse Council. The Golf Shop at Whistle Bear supports all of our partnerships while offering the best-in-class products to our members.
Significant Events Hosted:
2021: Golf Ontario Junior Boys Championship
2019: The PGA of Canada Championship
2015-2017: The LPGA Manulife Classic
2006-2009: The Barrett Amateur
Various PGA of Ontario Events
The Importance of Continuing Education: Working in the industry that is fast-changing and broadening in scope, I believe it is critical to have a focus on industry and non-industry based professional development and continued education. The PGA of Canada and zones throughout the country offer some amazing opportunities that all professionals can get involved in. The educational journey does not stop at your Class A certification and I am a supporter of every professional embracing the opportunities that are being offered.
It is imperative that we learn to stay ahead of the change in our customers’ needs to ensure we remain progressive of these desires and interests. Throughout the past decade the industry has changed drastically to become more focused on certain areas of the industry. There is no better opportunity to champion certain areas of the industry and focus on different career choices.
Career mapping is becoming more and more important. Young professionals are becoming more focused on segments of the industry. I always support my team members to continue their education throughout the many avenues that are available to them.
My Family: I am originally from the East Coast of Canada. Sydney Cape Breton Island to be exact. It has been wonderful to watch my home island develop into a world class destination with the Cabot properties. My twin brother (Eric Tobin) and I grew up playing throughout the Eastern provinces and quickly fell in love with the industry.
Following many years of traveling throughout Canada I have put roots down in Ontario where I now call home. My wife (Corrinne Tobin) is the glue to our family and supports my career each and every day. The most important role for me is now a father of my daughter Cayley (6 years) and my son Cayden (4 year). My family keeps me grounded every day.
My Team Members: I am passionate about attracting PGA professionals to be a part of my team. I would never turn down an opportunity to hire a PGA professional that I believe is heading in the right direction through their Career. I actively employ roughly 12 PGA professionals on a yearly basic.
Throughout the past number of years many of my staff members have moved onto to successful positions throughout the business including many clubs in the GTA area. I am passionate about their development and will never shy away from discussing their career maps.
Some notable team member milestones include:
Chris Dickenson- 2024 PGA of Ontario Coach of the Year
Ethan Hunt- 2024 PGA of Ontario Apprentice Professional of the Year
Chris Dickenson: 2022 PGA of Ontario Junior Leader of the Year
Chris Dickenson: 2022 PGA of Canada Junior Leader of the Year
Mike Martz: 2022 PGA of Ontario Coach of the Year
Mike Martz: 2022 PGA of Canada Coach of the Year
Natalie Gleadall: 2022 PGA of Ontario Apprentice Professional of the Year
Tyler Cameron: 2022 PGA of Ontario Professional Development of the Year
Chevy Rennie: 2019 Professional Development of the Year Nominee finalist
Current PGA Team Members: Brett Kudoba, Brad Mellon, Shauna Wilde, Chris Dickenson, Mike Martz, Ethan Hunt, Shawn Hilts, Adam Fritz, Luke Moser, Joe Rinker.
Fitting Staff: Ben Moser, Luke Moser
Notable Staff Moves: Chevy Rennie (Toronto Golf Club), Natalie Gleadall (London Hunt GCC), Tyler Cameron (Credit Valley GCC), Chris Dominick (Clublink), Shauna Wilde (Ladies Golf Club of Toronto), Cameron Cox (Head Professional- Glenn Abbey)
Junior Golf and Growing the Game: I have always been a supporter of junior golf and its development. It is the duty of golf professionals to continue to foster this environment within their facilities. As we steer into the future, I believe the PGA of Canada continues to lead the way throughout our country by guiding our professionals to grow the game.
At Whistle Bear we are fortunate to have one of the largest junior programs throughout the province. Our instruction team continues to offer industry leading programs to grow the game of golf amongst junior golfers. I believe every junior golfer deserves the opportunity to get involved in golf throughout community out reach programs.
Throughout 2021 our golf academy put through over 500 junior golfers in numerous different programs. This includes our popular Toonie Tuesday event, junior development teams, snag programs, weekly junior camps, and junior club events. On Sunday morning we also offer a Girls/Boys club that allows community members to come into our facility to learn the game of golf. We have also developed a junior golf scholarship program that awards 2 deserving golfers a 12-month opportunity of coaching, equipment, and clothing packages.
Diversity & Inclusion: The PGA of Canada has quickly become a leader in sport in regards to Diversity & Inclusion. The work that Matt Allen and the diversity committee has developed is simply amazing. The business has come a long way in the past 5 years and I applaud the work that everyone has done.
As we steer into the future, we cannot lose sight on our path and continue this hard work of our Diversity & Inclusion Committee. I believe every person deserves equal opportunities throughout our association. Whistle Bear has become a leader in our association as we provide equal opportunities for all of our team members.