INNISFAIL – The Innisfail Golf Club has made another important forward move in anticipation of its 100th anniversary celebration in 2024.
Following a national search with the help of a consultant, the local club has chosen Kendall Keeley as the club’s new general manager.
“After spending 24 hours in the community with a group of board members and staff, it is very evident everyone is proud of their club and also their community,” said Keeley in a media release from the club. “I am very excited to get started in this new journey and to help lead the Innisfail Golf Club into the future.”
Keeley replaces the long-serving Dwayne Simpson, who was with the club for 33 years, including the last three as general manager. He has moved on to pursue other opportunities, said Ron Harder, club president.
“Our mission for the golf courses is ‘Delivering the Memorable’ and I think Dwayne did a great job of doing that and Kendall can carry on that tradition,” said Harder. “He comes with experience as a general manager at large golf courses. We're currently looking for some strength in marketing and he's got strength in marketing, so that's going to be beneficial to the club.
“We've been blessed with three general managers in the last 25 years, and they were all local people, so this will be our first out of the local market,” added Harder. “I think that's going to create its own excitement in terms of learning about Innisfail, the culture, and the community here. I think he's shown he can react to what's going on and has creative ideas.
“We're just excited to bring Kendall on board.”
Keeley, who is a Class A member of the PGA of Canada, comes to Innisfail with an impressive golf industry background.
He is originally from Nova Scotia, and served as general manager at Avon Valley Golf & Country Club in Falmouth, Nova Scotia.
His most recent golf industry position is also as general manager at Eagle Ranch Resort in Invermere, B.C.
While he may not yet have abundant knowledge of Innisfail and the immediate area, he is no stranger to Alberta.
Keeley took the Professional Golf Management Program at Lethbridge College, and after graduating lived in Calgary and worked at the Silver Springs Golf & Country Club.
With that schooling and career experience in Alberta, Keeley is fully aware of the exemplary reputation of the Innisfail Golf Club, which is considered one of the finest courses in the province.
“Everything I've heard from everybody has always just been how great the golf course is. Conditions are always good. It’s tough but fair, and always very friendly,” said Keeley, noting the club’s commitment to ongoing improvements, which include the new clubhouse, two golf simulators and a new fleet of golf carts. “It's good to see a club that is proactive when it comes to a capital plan and how to move their club into the future.
“It's good to see that the club does take that position of, ‘if we want to grow, we do need to invest the money into the club and to build up certain things to keep that reputation as it is,” he added. “I see it as one of the premier clubs in Alberta, so to keep that reputation you obviously need to continue to improve.”
Keeley’s first day at the Innisfail Golf Club is scheduled for Jan. 16.
