Allen McNairn first brought his easy-going personality to Upper Canada Golf Course in 2000 when he became the assistant pro shop manager at the seaway track.
It was a natural fit for the left-handed player who took up the game around the time he was 10-years-old growing up across the street from the Morrisburg Golf Club.
The connection has been on an upward and onward trajectory ever since.
McNairn became the pro shop manager at Upper Canada Golf Course in 2004. His career dream job gives him the opportunity to look forward to going into the clubhouse every day.
“Every day here is different,” said McNairn. “There’s something new happening all the time here and the course is unique.
“Every hole is different,” he said of the Robbie Robinson-designed track that can only be described as a piece of living art.
It has also allowed him to be part of terrific events hosted at Upper Canada that have given the facility a lot of exposure.
“I’ve been fortunate to have seen the success of the Chad Kilger charity event we used to put on and the way the local community has supported the Upper Canada Open charity tournament for Special Olympics Ontario that is sponsored by the Hope family,” McNairn said. “We also were the site of a successful MacKenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada event called The Great Waterway Classic in 2013.”
Kilger is a former NHL player who played with several teams, including the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. His event drew pro celebrities such as Bob Probert, Jayna Hefford – women’s hockey gold medalist, Freddy Braithwaite, Moe “The Toe” Racine, Todd White of the Ottawa Senators, Senators assistant coach Marc Crawford – who is a regular at the course, Orval Tessier – former coach of the Chicago Black Hawks, Whit Tucker, Bruce Hood, Jason York and Brendan Bell.
The Upper Canada Open raised $25,000 for Special Olympics Ontario this past July 13.
Another group of celebs who’ve played Upper Canada were the late Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip.
“They booked through the clubhouse and wanted no special treatment,” said McNairn. “They’re a great bunch of guys.”
McNairn, who is a pretty fair golfer, gets most of his swings in playing with the Upper Canada members on Thursday nights and in local events at area courses Cedar Glen, the Morrisburg track and Iroquois Golf Club.
He once showed this article’s author how to have a shot at making birdie on Upper Canada’s par 5, 506-yard (from the white tees) No. 14 “Monster” hole using short irons. He hit eight iron, eight iron and nine iron before taking two putts to record a par that day – it’s true.
McNairn and his better half Lisa have been married for 28 years. Their two children are Matt (26) and Casey (22).
Here are the clubs that McNairn carries in his bag:
- Driver – TaylorMade M1
- Irons – 3-PW Nike Victory Pro
- Wedges – TaylorMade 52 degree, 57 degree, 60 degree
- Putter – TaylorMade Spider
McNairn adds that Upper Canada Golf Course was rated No. 21 in 2016 on Golf Advisors Top 25 Courses in Canada list. And, as of recently, a $50 for two players starting at noon seven-days-a-week special went into effect. Another offer features players who purchase a 2019 membership get to play the rest of 2018 for free.
Upper Canada Golf Course measures 6,926 yards from the tips (6,435 yards from the whites, 5,982 yards from the reds, 5,493 yards from the yellows). Par is 72 for men and 73 for women.
To get to the full-service facility from Ottawa take Hwy. 31 (Bank Street) south then make a left at Morrisburg and drive 11 km. The course is on the left across from Upper Canada Village.
For more details and to book tee-times, call 1.613.543.2003 or 1.800.437.2233.
Ottawa Golf Examiner 