Invermere’s Copper Point golf pro Brian Schaal recognized with two awards

Congratulations to Brian Schaal of Copper Point Golf Club. Brian is the recipient of the 2013 Fore Season Golf Professional Award from the NGCOA (National Golf Course Owners Association). The award recognizes an individual who is involved in all aspects of the growth, the development, the planning and goodwill of both the business and the game of golf within the Province.

Brian graduated from San Diego Golf Academy in San Diego, California with a Degree in Golf Course Operations and Management and Class A Certified Club Repair Technician. He was selected as valedictorian by his peers and selected to organize the final golf tournament by the Director of Student Affairs

Not only did Schaal walk away with an NGCOA Award, he was recently named the 2013 PGA of BC Professional Development winner. Schaal gives back to the sport in many ways, not the least of which is paying for all his professionals' entry fees to play in the local Kootenay Pro Tour Series.

"I believe if we are trying to grow the game, we need to play the game even more today," said Schaal. "It is a minimal cost that produces maximum results."

Schaal has also shepherded programs which include Copper Point adopting a local school, Eileen Madson Primary School, for the National Golf in Schools program; Copper Point participating in the Take A Kid To the Course program and and branching this off to create another program where kids 12 and under play golf free all year long; and Schaal personally playing in the Annual Longest Day of Golf which supports the ALS Society.

Schaal also helps give back to the local community, volunteering on the Board of Directors for the Summit Youth Centre, a local yough club that keeps kidds off the street and introduces them to the sport of golf; starting Tim Hortons Junior Camps where more than 25 kids a year learn and play golf at Copper Point; and starting a program called Feed The Town, where the club makes Christmas Dinner for everyone free of charge, as long as you bring a non-perishable food item for the local Food Bank.

"Feed The Town helps break the barrier between golfers and non-golfers, as we all meet at the clubhouse to support a cause that is not directly linked to golf," said Schaal.

Career Highlights:

• worked at some highly prominent golf clubs in BC, including  Eagle Ranch Golf Resort, Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club, Nanaimo Golf and Country Club, Morning Star Golf Club and Kokanee Springs Golf Resort.

• At Shaughnessy Golf Club (1997-2000) was instrumental in rebuilding junior program and mentored team that delivered $1 million dollars in Golf Shop sales for the first time.

• Was selected Head Professional to launch new golf resort Eagle Ranch in 2000. During his tenure (2000-2004) managed 32 employees, introduced the golfing public to Global Positioning Systems on the power carts as well as implemented many successful golf tournaments.

• Since 2005 Brian has held the position of General Manger/Chief Operating Officer/ Executive Golf Professional at Copper Point Golf Club in Invermere, BC. During his tenure Brian has doubled Copper Point’s annual revenue and consistently met all budget targets.

• Instrumental in the opening of Copper Point’s second 18 hole Masters Style course, supervising construction as well as expansions to the existing clubhouse delivering both projects on time and on budget.

• Thru his leadership Copper Point has received numerous recognitions; including 2007 Business of the Year and 2011 Business Leader of the Year.

• Through his community involvement Brian has established Tim Horton’s Junior Tourney, After School Tim Horton’s Junior Camps, Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Turn Copper into Gold, Feed the Town and Verge for Youth all hosted at Copper Point.

• 2012 and 2013 (Brian) has run Kelly Hrudey & Friends Charity Golf Classic. The event raises awareness and funds for youth organizations including the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre, Invermere Summit Youth Centre and the local (Invermere) Elementary and High School Hockey Academy.

• NGCOA Canada BC Chapter Advisory Board member since 2012 and host of this year’s Chapter Golf Invitational in August.

• Member of Advisory Board Committee’s including Membership and Events. Brian has been very active thru coordinating lobbying efforts in the Kootenay region and meetings with MP’s regarding the unfair entertainment taxation of golf courses.

The NGCOA Canada - British Columbia Chapter is proud to be able to present this award to Brian Schaal an individual that works to make to both the PGA of BC and NGCOA Canada associations stronger by the synergies of both.