Calgary
Enjoying the game
Tiffany Gordon believes she is extremely fortunate to work in a job she loves
As the executive professional of Cottonwood Golf & Country Club south of Calgary, Tiffany Gordon is a very busy woman. On the day we spoke, she had her hands full preparing to host the Canadian PGA Tour as part of the Alberta Day of Golf. However, I’m an old friend, so she squeezed in a few minutes to catch up before running off to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Sharpshooters Needed: Cottonwood Golf & Country Club is hosting the Canadian PGA Tour.—photos courtesy Cottonwood Golf & Country Club
“This is the largest event we’ve run,” said Gordon. “We’ve run the Bank of Montreal Women’s series, but to get a Canadian Tour event here—and all the bells and whistles that go with it—it’s a lot of fun. We’re learning lots, anyway.”
Being able to bring the event to the course is a huge achievement for Gordon and for the course, and it has been one of her goals for a few years.
“It’s always been something that I wanted to see,” said Gordon. “We run a lot of events . . . and we’re big believers in giving back to the game. This was an opportunity to see—one—what we could do, and two, we did a major renovation to the course a year and a half ago and spent about $1.5 million on greens and adding new tees and bunkers and getting it to a championship length, so it was a nice tie-in.”
Hosting an event of this magnitude is just part of Gordon’s career arc. When the course opened in 1990, Gordon signed on as an assistant pro. Over the years, she has moved up through the ranks to head professional and is now the executive pro and general manager of the course. She said she doesn’t play as much as she used to, but enjoys the game more now that she gets to play it rather than work it.
“I’m not as good as I used to be,” she chuckled. “It’s the people, it’s the atmosphere, it’s the business—that’s the stuff that I enjoy.”
That enjoyment has translated into recognition from her peers. Gordon was named Club Pro of the Year in 2005 by the PGA of Alberta and Canadian Club Pro of the Year by the CPGA.
“The moment you get recognized by your peers, it becomes pretty special,” said Gordon.
It’s recognition that is well deserved. But even though Gordon appreciates the accolades, she stresses that it’s not the reason she devotes so much of her time to helping others on and off the golf course. Gordon spends as much time as she can giving to the greater community. She’s involved in several charities as well as events that support community initiatives. She mentors young people on the course and coming up through the business. And in the end, giving back to the community and to the people around her gives her tremendous satisfaction.
“I’m very lucky to love what I do,” said Gordon. “A lot of people get out of bed every day and don’t like what they’re going to. I come in here all day and every day and still like getting up the next day—and I think that’s the difference.”
Gordon plans to keep on enjoying what she does and has no plans to simply coast along. Eventually, she’d like to be involved in developing a golf course from the ground up somewhere in southern Alberta.
“It’s a great golf buzz place,” she said. “It’s awesome here.”
Alberta South key contacts
Mountain View, AB
Explore by day, Rest by night
Mountain View Inn is located 15 minutes east of one of Canada's finest treasures: Waterton Lakes National Park. The inn is perfect for retreats, seminars, reunions, clubs, guilds and special events. We also have a cottage and cabin for family reunions, business retreats or for those who seek a little added mountain tranquility. Delicious home style catering is available for groups. Contact us for more information. Our great room can be configured to accommodate an 85 theatre style, 70 banquet style and 40 classroom style So come and experience the BEST views of the Canadian Rockies. The only decision you will have to make is one week or two
Cardston, AB
North America’s largest carriage museum
From elegant carriages used by royalty to stagecoaches of the old west, be prepared for an experience that will go far beyond your expectations. Recognized as one of the world's premier carriage museums, the Remington displays over 240 carriages, wagons and sleighs—many of them placed in their original settings in the main gallery. The museum also features an active horse program, carriage ride tour of Cardston, chuckwagon barbecues, miniature horse chuckwagon championships, a working restoration shop, restaurant and gift shop. Open daily, year-round
Remington Carriage Museum
Waterton Park, Ab
Waterton's new all-suite hotel
Centrally located in the Waterton townsite, Waterton Glacier Suites are just steps away from golfing, shopping promenades, tennis courts, boat cruises, bicycle rentals and stables. Hiking is readily available on park trails and fishing opportunities abound in the area's many lakes and streams. Our luxurious inn is located just 45 miles north of the U.S. border and 260 kilometres south of Calgary. All suites are equipped with a fireplace, Jacuzzi, a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, air conditioning and DVD players. The inn is open year-round and ready to take visitors at any time.
Waterton Glacier Suites
Lethbridge, AB
We set the standard
At the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel & Conference Centre, you will find all the things you would expect from an outstanding hotel: 190 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, three on-site dining and entertainment choices, banquet and meeting space and recreational amenities. We are conveniently located in the heart of downtown Lethbridge, two blocks from the Lethbridge Courthouse & Provincial Government Building and a 10-minute drive from the main industrial area. We are also within walking distance of two shopping centres, the Galt Museum and Yates Memorial Centre.
Nobleford, AB
Golf for the entire family
Bring the entire family to Keho Park Golf Club and enjoy a 9-hole play for $16 or an 18-hole play for $23. Our course is located 30 minutes north of Lethbridge and next to beautiful Keho Lake—a windsurfer's paradise and home of the largest pike in Alberta. In addition to great golf, our facility features friendly staff, a driving range, club rentals, RV camping and a licensed restaurant—stop by for our original "seadog"; this expertly prepared dish is everyone's favourite.
Lethbridge, AB
What awaits you at the Fort?
Dive into the past at Lethbridge’s Fort Whoop-Up National Historic Site, commonly referred to as “the Fort”. The Fort has reconstructed and interpreted the notorious whiskey fort, Fort Whoop-Up (formerly known as Fort Hamilton). The Fort is rapidly becoming the attraction of action. Through electronic displays, historical sights and sounds are captured using signature interactive elements that pay tribute to and commemorate the legacy of the NWMP, Aboriginal people, courageous pioneers, and colourful people and events that shaped Western Canada. For a pitch of Alberta's history, for an historical echo, this Fort is the place to go
Waterton Park, Ab
Nature's wonderland
Play on the edge of beautiful mountain scenery at Waterton Lakes Golf Course. Located within one of Canada’s natural treasures—Waterton Lakes National Park—this public course features flawless fairways and well-manicured greens. After a day on the links, golfers can have a great meal at the clubhouse restaurant (open from April 15 to October 15) and enjoy licensed dining on the outside patio. Featured on the restaurant menu is spinach raspberry salad and plump chicken wings—Mondays are cheap beer and wing nights.
Waterton lakes, AB
Come cruise with us
Step aboard the historic M.V. International and cruise along the shoreline of beautiful Upper Waterton Lake across the international border to Goat Haunt, Montana. Enjoy some of the most spectacular mountain scenery the Rocky Mountains have to offer. View majestic towering cliffs, unique geological formations, beautiful waterfalls, snow-clad mountain peaks and the international border. The duration of the cruise is 2 and 1/4 hours, which includes a 1/2-hour stop at Goat Haunt—the northern gateway to Glacier National Park. In addition, water shuttles cross the lake to Crypt Landing daily—the gateway to a breathtaking hiking trail.
Picture Butte, AB
A must-see and must-play
The Picture Butte Golf Club is one of Southern Alberta’s most recognized and respected golf facilities. Located only 15 minutes north of Lethbridge, the golf club is set on the top of the coulee. The club has been the proud host of a variety of provincial men’s, ladies and junior championships over the past few years. Most recently, the club was the host site of the 2006 Canadian Senior Match Play Championship, attracting players from across Canada and the U.S. It definitely is a must-see and must-play. For 2008, our rates are nine holes for $21, 18 holes for $36 or 27 holes for $42.
Countryside Campground is located next to the golf club. Phone (403) 732-5371 or (403) 894-4926.
Cardston, AB
A course to remember
This new Les Furber 18-hole design golf course, nestled in the Lee Creek Valley in the town of Cardston, offers a picturesque view of the mountains, wildlife and natural scenery. Your golf experience here will be most gratifying as we have four tee boxes for each hole to offer a challenge for all levels of golfers. This par 72 course also features white sand and multiple water hazards. Club selection is a must!
Stop at the clubhouse and visit our golf professionals. Our recently renovated clubhouse has an exciting new food services facility. We hope to see you soon to enjoy your golf experience with us.
