Trivia: “Why was Ed Oliver disqualified from the 1940 U.S. Open?” Answer below.
We’ve had a lot of great news lately at Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo. We’re making progress on many fronts. This includes finalizing our required capital, welcoming more members, building a strong team, and the list goes on. Parmasters HQ is also close to breakthroughs on many different fronts, which only means great things for our members, other patrons and our business.
I can’t recall if I’ve blogged about this topic before. So if this is a repeat, my apologies. I’m sure someone will point out my memory lapse. I’m speaking, or typing rather, about an analogy I use to describe what we bring to indoor golf. Parmasters is to indoor golf, what Chapters is to bookstores. Let me explain.
Before Chapters arrived on the Canadian retail scene, a bookstore consisted of a few thousand square feet, with shelves and books jammed in everywhere. Stores were small and designed to display and ultimately sell books. That was it. Then Chapters changed everything. They opened with some 10,000 square feet of book heaven! There were couches and chairs, washrooms, often a Starbucks coffee shop, gift ideas, and the list went on and on.
Patrons visited the old bookstores when they wanted to buy a book. Patrons visit Chapters when they feel like immersing the book culture/lifestyle. The older stores were designed to facilitate transactions. Chapters was designed to grow a culture, and ultimately facilitate many more transactions!
Before Parmasters, indoor golf consisted of a few simulators, a bar, perhaps a small putting surface and washrooms. Parmasters is changing all of that. We include lounge seating, an incredible cafe, a massive best-of-in-the-world indoor short game area, often a fitness center, locker rooms, meeting rooms, club repair and storage, Wi-Fi Internet access throughout, and much, much more.
Patrons visited the older indoor golf experiences to play golf on the simulators and have a beverage. Patrons visit Parmasters to immerse in the golf culture/lifestyle. The older indoor golf centres were designed to facilitate transactions – time on a simulator. Parmasters is designed to grow the golf culture, to create a club where members feel at home, to be an incredible entry point to the game, to be a major hub for the golf industry wherever we open! Parmasters, quite simply, brings Better Golf, More Fun, Guaranteed.
And the answer: “He was in a rush to complete his round before a storm set in, so he teed off before his tee time and was consequently disqualified. Oliver would have tied for first if it weren’t for his mistake.”
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Which Wolf Do You Feed?
Trivia: “Which of the four major championships is held at the same course each year? A) The Masters B) U.S. Open C) British Open D) PGA Championship” This one is easy! And of course, the “British Open” should really be presented for what it is, “The Open Championship”. Answer below.
It’s been another crazy and busy day at Parmasters KW. We made some good progress on many fronts. By the end of the day, as always, I was quite tired. And I should likely be in bed, but just wanted to share a quick story/lesson/legend that was related to me today.
I meet each week, generally on Wednesdays, with one of our shareholders. I asked for his time because it’s clear to me that he’s one of the most intelligent, no-nonsense and results-oriented business minds that I know. The meetings are part brainstorming, part mentoring, part refocusing and sometimes I get told I’m wrong. It’s all good.
Today this old, apparently Cherokee, legend came up.
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
- Excerpted from the First People website, www.firstpeople.us, found here.
This evening I had a wonderful time with a great friend and her son. I enjoyed stories about hockey, skating, video games, his many friends, his teacher, his school and the list goes on and on. He’s a wonderful young lad, so full of life. It was a perfect and relaxing evening to end a long, hard day.
And just a few moments ago I walked past a photograph of my father. I still can’t believe he’s gone. There’s not a day that passes that I don’t think of him. Tonight the thought occurred that my father is likely chuckling just a little, at my expense, up in heaven. He told me, as I purchased the Parmasters franchise rights, that I was about to lose one of my favourite, relaxing, de-stressing activities. Golf!
I told him he was crazy, of course. I mean, I was entering the golf business. Of course I would golf more, or at least just as much. I certainly wouldn’t golf less than I did before I entered the industry. But, time has proven my father to be correct! I’ve golfed just a handful of times this year, including one and only one full, 18-hole round. I’ve practiced even less!
I miss my father more than words can describe. And as every day since his death passes, I gain increased understanding that he was a great man. And yes, he was right about my golf game!
Soon time to turn in. Choose your wolf carefully. My father did.
And the answer: “A) The Masters has been held at the Augusta National Golf Club since its inception in 1934.”
It’s been another crazy and busy day at Parmasters KW. We made some good progress on many fronts. By the end of the day, as always, I was quite tired. And I should likely be in bed, but just wanted to share a quick story/lesson/legend that was related to me today.
I meet each week, generally on Wednesdays, with one of our shareholders. I asked for his time because it’s clear to me that he’s one of the most intelligent, no-nonsense and results-oriented business minds that I know. The meetings are part brainstorming, part mentoring, part refocusing and sometimes I get told I’m wrong. It’s all good.
Today this old, apparently Cherokee, legend came up.
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
- Excerpted from the First People website, www.firstpeople.us, found here.
This evening I had a wonderful time with a great friend and her son. I enjoyed stories about hockey, skating, video games, his many friends, his teacher, his school and the list goes on and on. He’s a wonderful young lad, so full of life. It was a perfect and relaxing evening to end a long, hard day.
And just a few moments ago I walked past a photograph of my father. I still can’t believe he’s gone. There’s not a day that passes that I don’t think of him. Tonight the thought occurred that my father is likely chuckling just a little, at my expense, up in heaven. He told me, as I purchased the Parmasters franchise rights, that I was about to lose one of my favourite, relaxing, de-stressing activities. Golf!
I told him he was crazy, of course. I mean, I was entering the golf business. Of course I would golf more, or at least just as much. I certainly wouldn’t golf less than I did before I entered the industry. But, time has proven my father to be correct! I’ve golfed just a handful of times this year, including one and only one full, 18-hole round. I’ve practiced even less!
I miss my father more than words can describe. And as every day since his death passes, I gain increased understanding that he was a great man. And yes, he was right about my golf game!
Soon time to turn in. Choose your wolf carefully. My father did.
And the answer: “A) The Masters has been held at the Augusta National Golf Club since its inception in 1934.”
Monday, October 06, 2008
Run Forrest, Run
Trivia: “How many total major championships did Bobby Jones win from 1923 until his retirement at age 28 in 1930? A) 7 B) 9 C) 11 D) 13” Answer below.
It was a very busy weekend, but I still managed to rest up for the week ahead. Well, if you count six hours of sleep as “resting up”.
My youngest had a birthday party and sleepover on Friday evening. And I was out Friday evening also and had a truly fantastic time. Saturday morning we hosted another Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo Preview Event and then I picked up my youngest from his sleepover – he had way too much fun and way too little sleep! Saturday afternoon was spent working mostly, and then in the evening my eldest had his first hockey game of the season. They won 5-2 and he head at least one assist.
Sunday morning dawned to another 5 km charity run with a very close friend. This run, the CIBC Run for the Cure, is more about raising money than competition, so we weren’t timed. But, by my watch, we shaved close to two minutes off of our time at the previous run a couple of weeks ago. Good stuff!
Sunday afternoon was mostly working and hanging out with my boys.
Well, it’s time to get back at it. This will be a busy week, as are most, or actually, all.
And the answer: “D) 13. This ranks second only to Jack Nicklaus’s 20 major wins (including two amateurs), which occurred over a span of 27 years.”
It was a very busy weekend, but I still managed to rest up for the week ahead. Well, if you count six hours of sleep as “resting up”.
My youngest had a birthday party and sleepover on Friday evening. And I was out Friday evening also and had a truly fantastic time. Saturday morning we hosted another Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo Preview Event and then I picked up my youngest from his sleepover – he had way too much fun and way too little sleep! Saturday afternoon was spent working mostly, and then in the evening my eldest had his first hockey game of the season. They won 5-2 and he head at least one assist.
Sunday morning dawned to another 5 km charity run with a very close friend. This run, the CIBC Run for the Cure, is more about raising money than competition, so we weren’t timed. But, by my watch, we shaved close to two minutes off of our time at the previous run a couple of weeks ago. Good stuff!
Sunday afternoon was mostly working and hanging out with my boys.
Well, it’s time to get back at it. This will be a busy week, as are most, or actually, all.
And the answer: “D) 13. This ranks second only to Jack Nicklaus’s 20 major wins (including two amateurs), which occurred over a span of 27 years.”
Friday, October 03, 2008
New Landlord
We have a new landlord at Market Square. The article from The Record is included below, and can also be found here.
We’re excited about this new relationship. Working with Cora has been wonderful. And, in fact, we’ll continue to work with the same individuals. They simply now work for a different company. At the same time we fully expect that Realex will bring a few new ideas and innovations to all of the properties, including Market Square.
Realex completes purchase of Cora assets
TheRecord.com - Business
RECORD STAFF
WATERLOO REGION
Realex Properties Corp. has completed its $142-million purchase of six office buildings in Kitchener and Waterloo from the Cora Group.
Realex purchased five buildings in downtown Kitchener: Market Square at 25 Frederick St.; The Galleria at Frederick and Weber streets; 22 Frederick St.; Commerce House at 50 Queen St. N.; and 235 King St. E.; as well as the Accelerator Centre building in the University of Waterloo Research and Technology Park.
The properties comprise 932,000 square feet of rentable area and 2,000 parking spaces.
Realex, which unveiled the deal in June, paid for the properties with cash, shares, assumption of debt and vendor take-back mortgages.
The Calgary company also owns all or part of 17 office and industrial buildings in Alberta and British Columbia.
Cora, which still owns several properties in Waterloo Region and other parts of Ontario, has moved its offices from The Galleria building to 1305 Victoria St. N.
Cora founder Manfred Conrad has joined Realex's board of directors. His son, Adrian, is now Realex vice-president for southwestern Ontario.
We’re excited about this new relationship. Working with Cora has been wonderful. And, in fact, we’ll continue to work with the same individuals. They simply now work for a different company. At the same time we fully expect that Realex will bring a few new ideas and innovations to all of the properties, including Market Square.
Realex completes purchase of Cora assets
TheRecord.com - Business
RECORD STAFF
WATERLOO REGION
Realex Properties Corp. has completed its $142-million purchase of six office buildings in Kitchener and Waterloo from the Cora Group.
Realex purchased five buildings in downtown Kitchener: Market Square at 25 Frederick St.; The Galleria at Frederick and Weber streets; 22 Frederick St.; Commerce House at 50 Queen St. N.; and 235 King St. E.; as well as the Accelerator Centre building in the University of Waterloo Research and Technology Park.
The properties comprise 932,000 square feet of rentable area and 2,000 parking spaces.
Realex, which unveiled the deal in June, paid for the properties with cash, shares, assumption of debt and vendor take-back mortgages.
The Calgary company also owns all or part of 17 office and industrial buildings in Alberta and British Columbia.
Cora, which still owns several properties in Waterloo Region and other parts of Ontario, has moved its offices from The Galleria building to 1305 Victoria St. N.
Cora founder Manfred Conrad has joined Realex's board of directors. His son, Adrian, is now Realex vice-president for southwestern Ontario.
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