Highlights from the 28th annual Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament

With a combined score of 126, team 12 came out on top as the champions of the 28th annual Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament. After two days of competition at Upton Estate Golf & Country Club in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Cargill Gordon of Trevello, Colin Harris of Celestial Travel and Arnold Bridgemohan (and Janet Long) of Design Travel clinched the top spot from last year’s champions by two points. Confidence Travel’s Leo Tam, Tom Liu, and Wendy Hsu were named runner’s up of the tournament at 128 points. Along with bragging rights, the winners earned tickets from ACV to any Sandals or Beaches destination in the Caribbean and a spot in the global travel industry golf tournament where teams from other industry tournaments will battle it out.

“This tournament is about more than just a few rounds of golf,” noted Gary Sadler, executive vice-president, sales & industry relations, Unique Vacations Inc. “It is about experiencing the island in a way that gives you, the travel advisors, a true sense of what Jamaica has to offer. And when you’ve experienced it firsthand, you’re able to share it with your clients in a way that’s real, that’s authentic.”

Sharing his deep ties with Jamaica and Canada, he added “I would not have missed this for anything in the world to come and spend time with the Canadian travel industry.”

Thanks to more connectivity, he said the tournament has blossomed from mainly travellers from the GTA when it first started 28 years ago to a wide spectrum of participants from coast to coast. 

Cargill Gordon and Sandra Edwards won the longest drive awards for men and women, while Jay Ainabe and Wendy Hsu took home the closest to the pin awards. Air Canada vacations was also recognized for their team spirit on the course while Fareconnect was highlighted as the best dressed team.

“We are pleased once again to be back in Jamaica for the annual Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament, which we’ve been attending and supporting for close to 20 years,” he said. “Our connection to Jamaica is a special one,” shared Hugo Coulombe, vice president, finance & CFO for Air Canada Vacations. “In fact, Air Canada Vacations has been in business in Jamaica for more than 40 years. Air Canada has been flying to Jamaica for 75 years and during the upcoming winter season we will be flying three times a week from my hometown Montreal to Montego Bay, seven times a week from Toronto to Montego Bay, and also four times a week from Toronto to Kingston.”

Notably, each year members of the ACV teams are made up of staff members who get nominated by their peers and colleagues throughout the year to recognize their efforts, hard work and achievements.

“Today I’m with my colleague from the leadership team Véronique Hébert Dumont as well as five very deserving colleagues who are shining examples of what it means to go above and beyond. Each year we receive many submissions to participate in this golf tournament and the five participants that have been selected this year stood out for their remarkable commitment and dedication to Air Canada Vacations.”

The golf tournament also serves as a fundraiser for the Sandals Foundation.

Amanda Ierfino, director, sales at WestJet said the event is one that everybody looks forward to attending throughout the year.

“On behalf of the entire team at WestJet we are so happy we could join you here in Jamaica these past few days for the 28th annual Canadian Travel Industry Golf Tournament, both as one of the sponsors but also as your partner. We had an amazing time on the course and we hope you did too,” Ierfino shared. “The WestJet and WestJet Vacations teams truly appreciate the strong, collaborative partnership we’ve built with Sandals over the years. I’d like to thank the team at Sandals for bringing us all together and for giving us the opportunity to participate as a sponsor. We always value the chance to connect with our travel partners in person, celebrate our partnerships and reflect on everything we can accomplish together so we’re really excited to be part of this event. I’d also like to acknowledge Baxter Media for their longstanding sponsorship and support for this event for the past 28 years. To all our travel partners, we want to express our gratitude for all that you do, and the countless ways you support our mutual clients. It’s an honour to work alongside you, and we’re constantly inspired by your commitment, dedication and passion for the industry. We hope you enjoyed your well-earned time on the course in this beautiful destination, and we look forward to seeing what lies ahead together.”

Rounding out the top three were team four consisting of Doug Rollheiser (Roblin Travel & Cruise), Jason Jenkins, Dave Harris and Jaques Gilbert with 130 strokes.

Wendy McClung, executive vice president at Baxter Media, shared some insights into the history behind the longstanding tournament.

“This started, as Maureen said, 28 years ago with my parents and Sandals to celebrate the Canadian travel industry partnerships we have. As our logo says, we’re your partner in travel. We are all partners in travel,” she said.

“Baxter Media has done more for the travel industry in Canada than any other magazine that I’m familiar with,” added Sadler.