Top 40: Russ Latimer
Contributed - Jul 06, 2020 - People in Business

Photo: Contributed

Okanagan Edge and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce are partnering to showcase some of the region’s most exciting entrepreneurs through the “Top 40 Under 40” program.

Sponsored by BDO, the “Top 40 Under 40” recognizes high-achieving professionals in our community and showcases their accomplishments. This marks the sixth year the chamber has conducted a “Top 40” showcase. Honourees will be featured throughout the year on Okanagan Edge.

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After earning his business degree in from Wilfrid Laurier University, Russ Latimer started working in the insurance industry but quickly realized it wasn’t for him.

Prior to moving to Kelowna and working at Gallagher’s Canyon, Latimer started his career in the golf industry at Whitevale Golf Club in Toronto as an assistant professional. Latimer then accepted the head professional position at Black Mountain Golf Club, where he was promoted to the general manager position in 2014 at the age of 32. Latimer is now in his seventh season as the general manager at Black Mountain, where they were awarded the 2018 PGA of BC Golf Facility of the Year.

Latimer is also the co-commissioner of the Interior PGA Tour, which is a small professional golf tour for PGA of Canada professionals in the Thompson Okanagan.

Golf is a huge part of the tourism industry, and Latimer is proud to be a part of it. He is also extremely proud of the amazing management team he has helped put together. When you’re in charge of everything, you’re not really in charge of anything, so you need to have great staff in each department who can get the best out of their respective staff members. Latimer attributes his leadership style to ensuring he puts all his staff in a position to succeed, then sitting back and letting them do their thing. It’s important that your staff enjoy showing up to work and working for you, as that positive attitude will increase their productivity and will be passed on to the customer.

Melcor and Black Mountain Golf Club support countless community fundraising events by donating rounds of golf and hosting charity events. They also host more than 20 golf events, during which the main purpose is to raise money for certain charities; they help raise more than $100,000 each year.

Latimer holds an honours business administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. He has also won four professional golf events and has placed well in many others.

Q&A with Russ Latimer (conducted May 27)

How is Black Mountain faring during the pandemic?

Now that the golf course is open for business, we are extremely busy. We began the year with 15-minute tee time intervals and will be moving to 12-minute intervals soon in order to get more people on the course. We have dozens of new protocols and procedures that staff and customers must follow in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. Overall, the start of the season has been a big success compared to what we thought it may have been. We look forward to a prosperous season.

What is your favourite quote?

“People are here to have fun. Let’s not (mess) it up.”


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