The Snow Lake Chamber of Commerce recently announced that they will sponsor a “golf day” on June 24 at the Snow Lake Golf Course. No ordinary event, this one has been named for a former Snow Laker who was instrumental in the resurrection of the chamber and the man who was guest speaker at their organizational drive several years back. The annual event will be called the “Chuck Davidson Golf Day!”
For those who are unaware, Chuck Davidson grew up in Snow Lake, attended school here, then went on to Red River College, where he majored in journalism and graduated with a creative communications degree in 1993. From there, he worked in communications as a reporter at 680-CJOB, as the press secretary for then Progressive Conservative Opposition Leader Stuart Murray, and as the vice-president of policy and communications at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. In May 2013, Davidson was hired as the president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC). MCC is the umbrella organization for 66 local chambers throughout the province, which represent close to 10,000 businesses. “I left Snow Lake in 1990, but went to school there from Grade 3 until I graduated in 1987,” said Davidson in an email interview. “Even to this day, I still consider Snow Lake my hometown and bring it up in virtually every speech I give. I have great memories of Snow Lake – playing hockey, fastball, golf, volleyball, and basketball in high school and could never imagine growing up anywhere different.”
The idea of the “Chuck Davidson Golf Day” (CDGD) resulted from a meeting of the local chamber at which they discussed ideas that would boost the presence of the group within the community. President Gerard Lamontagne came up with the idea of a golf date and as soon as he did, Chuck Davidson’s came to mind as someone who should attend. Being a notable person on a provincial and national scale as well as a Snow Lake boy, the naming of the tournament seemed a natural fit. So the the “Chuck Davidson Golf Day” it is and the inaugural event will take place this summer.
Asked about the format the golf day will follow, Lamontagne said that they have arranged for Davidson to be present this year. “Obviously Chuck won’t be able to attend every year, but he’s going to start it off, and I’m sure he’ll make as many as he can,” said Lamontagne. “Chuck was the guy who came out to Snow Lake and got us started again with the local Chamber of Commerce, so who better than him?”
The CDGD will be a one-day event, open to anyone and everyone and take a best-ball format, Lamontagne says. The local chamber will let other northern chambers know about the day and their members would be welcome to participate as well. However, local participation will be the focal point. “And not just chamber members,” said the president. “We want to get local people out … give them a better idea of what the chamber is all about, who is in the organization, the role that we play and the role we want to play within Snow Lake. There may even be some out there who don’t realize that everything we do within and for the chamber is volunteer work, no one is getting paid.”
The CDGD will start with a luncheon as the chamber normally does with their events, only at this one the day’s honouree will be the speaker. “I’m sure he’ll speak about how the local chamber got started and his roles throughout the years; from radio to politics and then the chamber on a provincial level,” said the chamber president. “Then we will carry on into an afternoon of ‘best ball’ and a few cocktails for those who wish.”
Being unfamiliar with the intricacies of golf, Lamontagne has recruited Terry Hornyak to help set the day up. “Terry is a good citizen, a great volunteer, and a fine golfer … and if he wants to stick around and be on my team, that would be fine,” joked Lamontagne.
Davidson stated what a privilege it was to be honoured with the day. “I do have to admit when Gerard indicated the local chamber wanted to name the golf tournament after me, I was quite humbled and honoured,” he said. “I honestly feel there are many other people in Snow Lake that are worthy of something like this. I am happy to support the local chamber and business community and am looking forward to coming home to take part.”
The cost of the one day event will be $20 for the lunch and speaker; members and others that participate will be responsible for paying for their own golf green fees and cart rentals.
