On March 6, throughout Golf Canada’s 2025 Annual Basic Assembly, Adam Daifallah of Westmount, Que. was elected because the group’s 118th President. He most not too long ago served as vice chairman for consecutive phrases and has been a board member since 2018.
Golf Canada sat down with Daifallah to speak a couple of vary of subjects, from his early days as a aggressive golfer, the place he turned a provincial champion, his wide-ranging profession path, what led him to affix Golf Canada and finally turning into the youngest president within the group’s historical past. We additionally focus on his ideas on the energy of Canadian golf and far more.
You grew up in Peterborough, Ontario…what sports activities or actions have been you drawn in direction of as a baby? Was golf at all times excessive in your listing?
I wasn’t considering any sports activities till I discovered golf at age 10. My dad and mom didn’t play however my grandfather did, although wasn’t taking part in anymore. I type of caught the “golf bug” channel flipping the TV someday. The Skins Recreation was on, and I noticed Lee Trevino make a hole-in-one, then proceed to leap up and down and hug his caddie, Herman. I stated to my dad and mom that I actually wish to strive that recreation! I requested them to go to the bookstore and I picked up an educational guide. It was referred to as The Golfer’s Bible. I spent that winter within the basement copying the swing actions within the guide’s images, in order that within the spring, I might be able to play for the primary time. I began that 12 months and completely liked it.
That may be a good segway into my subsequent query, you have been a aggressive junior golfer and gained the Ontario Bantam Boys’ Championship in 1992. What are your reminiscences from that win? Do you continue to have the trophy or medal?
(Laughing) Sure, I nonetheless have the trophy. I additionally nonetheless have the prize that the OGA (now Golf Ontario) used to provide for provincial winners, which was a Tudor watch. My foremost reminiscence of it was taking part in with [eventual PGA tour member] David Hearn and defeating him by eight pictures. That was the primary and final time I ever beat David! We turned good buddies.
Shifting gears if I could to your research. You maintain a BA with honours in historical past and political research from Queen’s College, and commenced working as a Washington correspondent on the New York Solar. From there you joined the editorial board of the Nationwide Put up and wrote two books on Canadian politics. You’ve additionally contributed items for SCOREGolf. What in regards to the journalism world you to pursue that early on in your profession?
I’ve at all times liked writing. I used to be at all times considering public coverage and public debate, and I noticed journalism as a approach to advance the concepts and the causes I believed in. I preferred the thought of getting these concepts out to a wider viewers.
You have been a Sauvé Scholar at McGill College and enrolled into legislation college at Université Laval. You later turned a member of the Quebec Bar and practiced legislation at Norton Rose Fulbright (then Ogilvy Renault) in Montréal. What was the draw so that you can transition from the journalism world into working towards legislation?
I used to be considering politics from a younger age and somebody I idolized was Brian Mulroney. I at all times needed to be close to him, and he was a lawyer at Ogilvy Renault in Montréal. He was the first purpose that drove me to try this.
You later co-founded HATLEY Technique Advisors, which was then acquired by Teneo in 2020, the place you at present work as a senior managing director. Teneo gives company consulting, technique and advising. On paper, these are three totally different paths in your profession from journalism to legislation to consulting, however I’ve to really feel there could be many similarities in every career?
Completely. The company consulting work I did at HATLEY and now at Teneo permits me to attract on the abilities developed from previous experiences in politics, journalism and legislation. I exploit them day by day in my work.
Along with your function with Teneo and serving as president of Golf Canada you’ve additionally given your time as a volunteer to Dunham Home in Dunham, Que. a residential therapy centre specializing in psychological well being and habit restoration. What drives your ardour to provide again to your group?
It actually boils all the way down to desirous to get instantly concerned in causes you consider in. When you’ve got a private curiosity, and also you’re invested in it on an emotional stage, you do extra. Within the case of Dunham Home, it’s an establishment that based by an excellent pal who was touched by the problems of habit and psychological well being. So, I’m completely satisfied to contribute and assist that trigger.
Let’s discuss the way you joined Golf Canada. Your journey initially started in 2013 as a volunteer. Was there one thing or somebody that drew you or spoke to you about becoming a member of?
I had at all times needed to get entangled and I used to be lucky to have a pal, Norman John Hébert, whose mom, Diane Dunlop Hébert, was then president of Golf Canada. She is the one who opened the door to assist me get entangled as a volunteer.
In your time with Golf Canada, you’ve got sat on the committees throughout quite a few areas together with Compensation, Funding, Governors Council, Folks and Tradition, Heritage Providers and Volunteer Providers Working Group, and volunteered on obligation rosters, together with as a starter on the RBC Canadian Open. You have been then elected to the Board of Administrators in 2018, turned vice chairman for consecutive phrases in 2023 and 2024, and at the moment are the 118th president. I must assume, that quantity of expertise throughout quite a few committees has helped you forward of becoming a member of the board and finally turning into VP and now president?
For sure. I feel it’s necessary to know the group properly in case you’re going to guide the board. I’ve benefited from being concerned in a variety of areas of the group which has allowed me to not solely perceive the way it works operationally but additionally get to know a variety of the important thing workers, which is sweet.
There was a shift in governance at Golf Canada in compliance with Sport Canada finest practices, not too long ago the addition of an athlete class on the board and plenty of working professionals have taken positions. In your opinion, what makes for an efficient board for a nationwide sports activities federation.
I feel there are two issues. One is individuals who convey a ardour to the trigger and a deep affection for the game in query. And two, a variety in vary and ability units in order that every part required to control successfully — issues like authorized background, accounting, human assets, and so on…is roofed. You want individuals who symbolize all of the totally different ability units and backgrounds wanted.
You have been on the board when the present strategic plan launched. What are your ideas on the operational and industrial success of the group popping out of the pandemic and the energy of the group’s monetary efficiency lately?
We’re so lucky to be in such a powerful place. We’ve been the beneficiaries of robust management by our CEO, Laurence Applebaum, mixed with success. Loads of new individuals have picked up the sport because of the pandemic, and plenty of who had stop have come again. The numbers carry on rising regardless that we’re just a few years out of the pandemic. So I feel it’s a mix of fine management and the optimistic impacts of exterior components. There’s that saying that “luck is what occurs when preparation meets alternative.”
Folks throughout Canada are engaged in golf. Document numbers of participation, 11 million scores posted on the Golf Canada App. There’s nice energy in Canadian golf and programming from First Tee – Canada, She Performs Golf, the Workforce Canada Excessive Efficiency program and people competing professionally on the world stage. It’s all been a degree of pleasure for Golf Canada, what are your ideas on the state of Canadian golf immediately?
I might say we’re in an enviable place. I’m undecided that anybody might have predicted the place we might be proper now, each when it comes to the novice recreation and the professional recreation, just a few years in the past. Tee sheets are jam packed at public programs. Personal golf equipment have ready lists. We had 4 Canadians take part in The Masters.
When you might decide one occasion or second throughout your time with Golf Canada so far that may be your fondest, what would it not be?
That’s a troublesome one. Most likely being a primary tee starter on the RBC Canadian Open. Assembly the gamers, introducing the gamers –particularly the Canadians and those you’re personally a fan of –that’s a extremely neat expertise. One other that involves thoughts is assembly Lee Trevino, who initially sparked my golf curiosity. He got here to the RBC Canadian Open just a few years in the past and we spoke for about two hours!
In your first 12 months as president of Golf Canada. Are there any explicit objectives you hope to realize or see proceed this 12 months?
Capitalizing on the expansion of the sport and the positive aspects of latest years is high of thoughts. We have to preserve the momentum going. Additionally, good governance and modernization of our volunteer infrastructure. Through the years, individuals have requested whether or not I’ve sufficient time to volunteer for Golf Canada as a result of I labored full time. We should proceed to make our group pleasant to those that work and who produce other commitments, like younger households.
Throughout your time as president, Golf Canada will transition its nationwide headquarters to TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, house of the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, how thrilling is that and one other new chapter for Golf Canada?
Tremendously thrilling. It’s a undertaking that I’ve seen go from a mere idea to now virtually being a actuality. There’s been a variety of work and dedication from workers to make this occur and I feel everyone seems to be simply excited now to see it come to fruition and to be prepared. It will likely be a brand new period for Golf Canada.
You may have been a beneficiant donor to the fundraising actions of the Golf Canada Basis – how impactful have the efforts of the inspiration and its community of donors been to the development of Canadian golf?
It actually makes a distinction. The Golf Canada Basis underneath the management of Martin Barnard have to be lauded for the expansion we’ve seen in fundraising within the final variety of years – notably in the case of the First Tee – Canada program, lining up a variety of main items throughout the nation to fund provincial First Tee chapters. It’s going to take some time for us to see the fruits of that as a result of it’s a reasonably new program, however I’m assured it’s going to pay enormous dividends down the street.
I’d wish to ask a pair private questions. How do you keep relationships? I’m certain there are a lot of areas, locations and other people you’d like to attach with, or re-connect with. How do you obtain that? How do you keep relationships?
At a primary stage it’s about reaching out and retaining frequent contact. Emails, calls, textual content messages, taking part in golf collectively, you must preserve the hassle going by touchpoints to maintain relationships alive. It does take effort, and it needs to be a mutual effort.
You reside in Westmount, Quebec together with your spouse and two younger sons. Are they golf fans?
Everybody performs, together with my spouse. We’ve got a household membership at Knowlton Golf Membership and the boys and I play 9 holes virtually each weekend there in the summertime. They’re displaying a eager curiosity, which is thrilling.
I’m certain that your obligations as a father and husband take you in many various instructions. On-top of that you simply work full-time and volunteer your time extensively. With that, how necessary is it to keep up work-life stability?
It’s very difficult, however it’s important. There’s at all times a pressure between the 2 and also you simply should do the perfect which you could. It’s a juggling act. It helps when you have a supportive partner or companion, and I’m fortunate to have that.
How would you describe your golf recreation immediately?
(Laughs) I’d say that I’m happy with it, contemplating my age and the way usually I play. I’m very completely satisfied to interrupt 80 on any given day.
Lastly, what’s one thing that we must always learn about you, past studying your bio?
I’m a really communicative and open particular person. I’m an open guide. I wish to be accessible so if anyone ever needs to succeed in me, please don’t be shy. Decide up the telephone or ship the e-mail if I may also help with something.
