THE MAD POST
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
Apr 21

Submitted by Gary Ward, General Manager & C.O.O.
Opening Day
There will be a short delay to our plans for opening the golf course this year. We will send out a member email at end of day tomorrow with our opening dates for the driving range and golf course.
Ice Storm Clean-up
Chad and his team deserve a huge thank you for all the heavy lifting and clean-up over the past few weeks. Several of our back shop team have also been out helping and it’s contributed to the progress we are making.
Most of the tree falling and chipping or removal is complete. Some of the remaining trees are located in wet areas we can’t access yet but are ready for removal once the course starts to dry out.
We have a second contractor on site dealing with as many of the broken but still hanging branches as possible. Some of the branches at the highest points and aren’t accessible as are some well within the forest lines.
Despite the magnitude of damage, we are hopeful that once things warm up, the spring growth will hide much of the damage.
I continue to sort through the process with our insurer as well and I will keep you appraised of the situation.
Apr 20

Submitted by Carl Penfold, Head Professional
The conclusion of The Masters means it is time to recognize our first winners in the 2025 Mad River Majors Pool. Our new Ladies Captain, PA Irwin-Allen, put together a team that finished with a combined score of -29! That was six shots clear of the three members that tied for 2
nd place at -23 which included Rob O’Connor, Cole MacFarlane and Helen Kearns. Congratulations to our winners and look forward to the PGA Championship in May at Quail Hollow. Last time I checked, I think Rory played well there.
The sign-ups for most member events are currently open. To help make it easier for members to find the event directories while visiting our website, there has been a new section added to the menu tabs. You will now find an option for
GOLF EVENT SIGN UP. When you hover over this tab, it will provide a drop-down menu. Within the drop-down menu, simply select the section in which you want to find the event. From there, you will be redirected to a directory which includes all information and sign-up information. If you are experiencing issues logging into the website, or signing up for events, please call the pro shop and they will be able to assist.
Apr 18
/P_A_Allen_(002).aspx?width=160&height=158)
Submitted by PA Irwin-Allen, Ladies Captain
The 2025 Members Opening Shotgun date has been changed. We are 18 days away from our first golf event on Saturday, May 10th. Let’s hope we get a beautiful day for it. To make it easier to sign up for events, a new header has been added to the Mad River homepage on the website. Thank you Shawn! Click on Golf Event Sign Up and a drop-down menu will pop up. Pick which section you are looking for (Ladies Section, Mixed Events and Match Play). If you haven’t signed up, please do. It will be great to catch up and hear all about your winter adventures. Looking forward to seeing everyone, not to mention swinging a club!

We will be having our Tuesday Opening golf on May 13
th. It’s in the planning stages, but we know that it will be a 10:00 am shotgun start. The format will be 1 net best ball, played in foursomes and the pro shop will make the draw. More details to follow but please click on the link below to sign up for 2025 Ladies Opening Shotgun.
https://www.golfgenius.com/bb732x/customerdirectory/10474760046850883673
As I write this Post submission on April 17th, here are the stats for event sign up.
| Event |
Date |
# of Ladies Signed up |
| Members Opening Shotgun |
May 10 |
26 |
| Ladies Opening Tuesday |
May 13 |
15 |
| 4- Ball Match Play |
All season long |
13 teams |
| Ladies Singles Match play |
All season long |
4 |
As you might notice, we are very light in the Singles Match Play sign up so far. Below are the event details from our convenor Lesley Brightling.
Apr 17
/Colin_Tyler.aspx?width=160&height=214)
Submitted by Colin Tyler, Men's Captain
We're another week closer to opening day, and fingers crossed for some warmer weather soon! Hopefully, you saw Carl's note last week about the Member Guest lottery being open now. Please note that this year's date has been moved earlier to accommodate upcoming course projects. As a result of these projects we will not be making changes to the existing event format, lottery, and sign-up process for the next two seasons.
Apr 16

Submitted by Ryan Rinneard, Director of Instruction
LADIES 5-WEEK SUPER SERIES REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Make 2025 the year you commit to improving your golf game and having more fun on the course! Sign-ups are now open for both the
Ladies Beginner and Intermediate 5-Week Golf Programs, designed to build confidence, develop skills, and help you love the game even more. You can register by
CLICKING HERE. Each session is
limited to just 4 participants, ensuring personalized attention and a supportive learning environment. Once the first session fills, additional times will be opened—so grab a friend and claim your spot early! The first week kicks off the
week of May 16, right after Mother's Day (hint hint, fellas!). For all the details about the program, please
click this link.
Apr 15

Submitted by Michelle Larcher, Food & Beverage Manager
Food & Beverage Getting Ready, In Between the Vines, Poultry Price Increases and New this Season
It’s hard to believe we may actually be open in May when you look around and see the snow, however, behind the scenes we are all working diligently to welcome you all back to your club you love so dearly. The clubhouse is slowly looking like a dining space, the uniforms are ready to put on and the final touches on the menus and the wine and drink lists are coming together. We will post this season’s offerings on club central next week along with menus for the events happening in May and June. Our team will be coming in mid-week to get acquainted, get trained on the new menu items, create drinks and set up the space for your arrival. We are so excited to welcome you back!
In Between the Vines
I had the opportunity to have a private tasting at a boutique winery by the name of Kirby Estate Wines in Niagara-On-The-Lake. Their boutique vineyard and newly minted farm winery has become their passion project to share with others. Under their stewardship, they have partnered with the best industry professionals with expertise in vineyard management and artisanal wine making resulting in remarkably high quality, small-lot, single-vineyard varietals. They are inspired by other quality wine makers who also seek to release the magic in their terroir grown grapes which showcase the authentic rich flavours of Niagara Lakeshore’s award winning wines. We will be offering their wines by the bottle on this season’s wine list. Please come by the wine station in the Sunroom to sample some at the “Spring Thaw”.
Apr 14
Notes from the Chef Stephen Sagar
Hello members from the kitchen. With Spring slowly approaching, it appears that 2025 will be a year of transition for many people and the kitchen of Mad River will be no different. Despite the changes happening in the F&B department, we are happy to report that there are some returning staff to help iron out some of the possible bumps we may feel while the season begins. I am looking forward to working with the returning staff and bringing in some new blood with them to create a small but dynamic team.
Apr 13
.aspx?width=160&height=200)
Submitted by Trish Carman, Club Accountant
Hello members. I am hoping we are now turning the corner to better weather! It has been a long and arduous winter!
I am pleased to introduce to you, our new Accounting Assistant Kristy Nicholson.
Kristy has a diploma in Business and Management studies from Georgian College, along with a CHA long term care Administrator certificate.
Kristy comes to us with over 15 years experience as an Office Manager with Creeden Valley in Creemore.
I look forward to a long and rewarding working relationship with Kristy and welcome her to the Mad River team!
Promissory Notes
Thank you to all who have submitted your promissory notes, if you have not already submitted your signed note, please do so before the course opens.
LINK TO Promissory Note
A Friendly Reminder
All dues are payable in full, end of April. If you have a PAD on account, the payments will be taken April 28th, 2025.
If you are paying via credit card, there is a 2.5% admin fee applied.
The loan and assessments will also be taken via PAD if you have not already submitted.
Welcome Marshall Voorheis Jr.
/Marshall_Jr.aspx?width=200&height=178)
Assistant Pro Marshall Voorheis and his wife
Kristen welcomed a son this past February,
Marshall Jr. All are doing well and thrilled to
be sleeping through the night.
Congratulations!
Important Dates
Spring Thaw Cocktail Party - Friday, May 2nd
All Members Event - Saturday, May 10th
Annual General Meeting - Saturday, May 10th
Mother's Day- Sunday, May 11th
Ladies Member Guest Day – Friday, June 20th
Men’s Member Guest Day – Friday, June 27
th
Club Champions Weekend – July 11
th – 13
th
Ladies Member/Member –Tues., August 5
th
Men’s Mad & Noisy – Men’s Thursday, August 7
th
Ryder Cup - Wednesday & Thursday, Sept 3 & 4
Madheim - Monday & Tuesday, September 8 & 9
LINK FOR REGISTRATION
LINK FOR REGISTRATION
WAIT LIST IN EFFECT FOR THE FAIRWAY FIESTA!
MAD READS begins
Monday, May 12th
LINK FOR INFORMATION
2025 Divot Days
Mark your calendar!
Monday, May 12th 8 – 10 am
Monday, August 18th 8 – 10 am
Monday, September 15th 8 – 10 am
Mad River Name Tags
/name_tags_1.aspx)
Please remember to wear your name tag if you are attending the Spring Thaw on Friday, May 2nd. If you do not have a name tag and would like to order one, email Sandy at
[email protected]
Former Mad River Member,
Peter Mantrop has passed.
Link to Obituary
Link to Canada's Top 25 Private Golf Courses
Next Mad Post: Tuesday, April 29th
Have a Suggestion
Send your idea or concern to: [email protected]
Your suggestion will be forwarded to the appropriate individual or committee for consideration.
Thank you!