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Entrepreneurship in the Golf Industry

This course introduces students to the concept of entrepreneurship and assesses their potential as future entrepreneurs in the golf industry. Students will be encouraged to explore their business ideas and learn how to conduct a feasibility study.

The curriculum includes teaching students how to identify opportunities and develop strategies by recognizing the environmental factors that affect all businesses. Finally, students will learn how to organize their business idea into a concrete business plan incorporating the entrepreneurial concepts taught throughout the course.

Sponsored by... The John Dobson Foundation

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Course Professors

Kevin Hurd is the General Manager of Brookefield and Beaverdale Golf Clubs in Cambridge, Ontario. Mr. Hurd has extensive experience in all areas of golf operations management but is especially renowned for his marketing expertise and creativity. Between 1998 and 2004, Mr. Hurd served as the Corporate Marketing Director for Golf North Properties Inc. where he was responsible for co-ordinating the marketing initiatives of all 10 golf courses owned and operated by the company. In addition to his general manager duties, Mr. Hurd co-ordinates the food and beverage program for Golf North Properties Inc. which has currently expanded to 14 facilities. Mr. Hurd is a graduate of the University of Guelph, McMaster University and the Golf Management Institute of Canada.

Ryan Spring, B.Comm., C.P.G.A. is the President of Ryan Spring Golf Financial Ltd. Mr. Spring works closely with Textron Financial Canada and was an Associate with KPMG's Golf Industry Practice from 2000 to 2004. From 1998 to 2000, Ryan gained operational experience working under the tutelage of Douglas Rankin at the esteemed Toronto Golf Club, while completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Toronto. A member of the Canadian PGA since 1997, Ryan won the Tex Noble award in 2000 for achieving the highest grade in Canada on the CPGA's annual Class 'A' examination. While with KPMG’s Golf Industry Practice, Ryan was involved in numerous market demand studies, business plans, operational reviews, benchmarking studies, valuations, long-range strategic plans, and destination golf studies for golf courses throughout North America. Ryan is a member of the CPGA's National Employment Committee, and sits of the Advisory Board for the Professional Golf Management Program at Durham College.