Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/130253
5/9/13 9:35 AM IN PROFILE INTERVIEW BY LISA "LONGBALL" VLOOSWYK Scott Reid A Canadian Golf Success Story As former head of Callaway Golf Canada Scott Reid helped lead the company to its most successful year to date and strongly believes in growing the game. He has spent almost 30 years in the golf industry with the lion's share of it in Western Canada. iG had a chance to recently catch up with Reid. iG: Who introduced you to the game of golf? SR: My mom started me when I was 6 or 7 back in Burlington, ON. As I moved I kept joining golf courses in Edmonton, Calgary and Victoria. iG: How did you get into the golf industry? Page 1 took on Alberta and Saskatchewan and after year one got handed Manitoba. I did that for a couple of years then we hired someone to do Manitoba and Saskatchewan and I just did Alberta. I spent 7 years as a rep and then was promoted to National Sales Manager and moved to Victoria. I was in that position for two and a half years then Callaway bought Top Flight and Hogan in 2003. In 2004 I moved to Toronto as VP of Sales and Marketing and then took over as Managing Director in 2006. iG: What were your highlights with your time with Callaway Golf? SR: Integrating the company with Hogan and Top Flight. Merging the sales forces was not for the faint of heart. A lot of people unfortunately lost their jobs but we came through it. I was also proud of always having solid green grass relationships, growing the business to a record high in 2007, getting Callaway involved with the SCOTT REID AT THE PGA SHOW IN ORLANDO Callaway to all the time in the world. I focused on being a hockey dad and coaching on my son Braden's team. I started reconnecting with friends, networking, relaxing, recharging the batteries and looking at all of the different opportunities and possibilities. As for the next step, I haven't done a resume since 1994. I might start that (laughs). There are GETTING TO KNOW SCOTT REID Interesting Fact: Reid has played in a band since Grade 10. His current band in Toronto is called "One Foot in the Groove" featuring 50's R&B through 80's and 90's tunes, Favorite Artists: #1 Led Zeppelin #2 The Beatles #3 Steely Dan Favorite Golf Course: Pebble Beach "It is hole after hole of greatness" Timmy's or Starbucks: Starbucks strongest blackest coffee they have IMAGE CREDIT/COURTESY: SCOTT REID Hockey Background: Played AA hockey right up though junior. Was a center man Favorite Hockey Player of all Time: Gordie Howe Favorite Hockey Team: Calgary Flames SR: In 1984 I ran the first major off course golf shop in Calgary called Las Vegas Discount Golf and Tennis. I had an extensive retail back ground and ran it for 5 years. I then was a rep for a record company for a year or two, took a year off and got back into playing golf and went into a year's stint as an assistant professional at Calgary Elks Golf Club. iG: When did you begin with Callaway Golf? SR: The head pro at the Elks, Sandy McDonald, suggested I apply for the opening of the local Callaway Golf rep. I got hired in January 1994. I Golf in Schools program and signing Adam Hadwin who I think is going to be a star. iG: Many people in the golf industry were surprised to hear you were no longer with Callaway as of this past November. SR: For two years there had been cut backs; the company was restructuring... I left on good terms. I was disappointed with the decision but excited about the possibilities and the future. iG: Where do you go from here? SR: I went from 18 years with IMAGE CREDIT/COURTESY: LISA VLOOSWYK iG1304--proof some brands that I am looking at. I am a little more entrepreneurial than working for the major corporations although I won't say that that's not a possibility if something knocks on my door. iG: One of those brands is Bio Steel. They are creating a buzz in the golf world. What is your role? SR: Bio Steel is a Canadian company that is growing. It is a hydration and energy product to rival Gatorade which has too much sodium and sugar. It is solid in hockey and getting more into golf. I am heading up the golf sales. The first thing that attracted me was the brand. Then I saw kids like my son's hockey team and kids around the rink "drinking the pink". I wanted to find out more about the product, the inventor Matt Nichol and how good it is. I think there is an opportunity there. I'm looking for some smaller brands like that that have some cache. iG: What do you see as the future of golf in Canada and how do we develop more Adam Hadwins? SR: I don't know if I believe in developing more Adam Hadwins as much as I believe we need to develop more golfers period. We need better access, less expensive places to play and we need it to be promoted at a younger age. That is why we got involved at Callaway and why I was adamant about the Golf in Schools program. We also need corporate Canada to get behind it. I believe there is an opportunity for them. It is a great sport that teaches life lessons, manners and promotes walking and physical activity. We also need to lighten up on some of the stringent rules that we have and have more 3, 6, 9 hole golf courses that are a buck a hole for kids to play. Reid's impact on golf in Canada has been significant and fingers crossed that we don't lose him to another industry…he's one of the good ones. Lisa is a 7-Time Canadian Long Drive Champion for women and is currently ranked top 5 in the World. Lisa is a Golf Entertainer at corporate and charity events and Keynote Speaker at conferences and meetings. Lisa can be reached through her website at lisalongball.com 39