Publisher's Pitch

Tourtillotte (left), Stephens and the Varsity team have published Cascade Golfer for 16 years and produced over 120 golf expos nationwide.

Reflections of 2022 brings about kudos and fond farewells to industry giants

DICK STEPHENS

It’s hard to believe all of us here at Cascade Golfer are putting the finishing touches on another volume of issues. This edition will be a “wrap” of our 16th volume of this periodical. As I’ve shared countlessly here, it’s a labor of love and among the longest running titles any of us have ever been associated with. It means this seasoned team here is “experienced” lol.

There’s no other band of brothers and sisters I’d want to craft this magazine with than the ones I work alongside with here. I wish to thank and point the spotlight on the following folks and say thank you to: Mike Livingston and his team at Puetz Golf, Art Director Rob Becker, Sales/Marketing Manager and Tournament Director Simon Dubiel, Editor Tony Dear, Staff Writer Bob Sherwin, Accounting Maven Pam Titland and new teammates Taryn Hauglie and Tiffanie Neyens. And of course, the amazing photographers like Rob Perry and others that grace these pages with their imagery.

Last, but certainly not least, one of the two people I wish to draw special attention to in this month’s column is my business partner of 31 years and the Co-Publisher of this title Kirk Tourtillotte. Kirk has taken on a background support role now as part of a long-awaited retirement vision that is now being realized. He’s helping us with the business end of things still and has not cut the cord completely but stepped away from the wheelhouse and done so masterfully. With Ozzie Boyle, Kirk helped found Varsity Communications in 1985.

As a leader and huge part of every element of this title since we started it in 2006, Kirk has poured the sweat of his life into our company, culture, team, projects and clients. Frankly, his talents and reliability are standard setting. We all have learned and benefitted so much from Kirk and each of us are better for just being associated with him. Kirk launched magazine titles, golf expos, culinary events, websites, campaigns, done work in nearly 50 states and internationally — always meeting and exceeding his marks and hitting deadlines. I’ve watched Kirk craft and close a $1 million deal and address a $10 item with the same care and follow through time and time again. He’s always one to lift up those around him and is the Yin to my Yang as a biz partner. I love this dude and look forward to all of us keeping his projects healthy and alive for years to come. It’s a new honor to work with him in his new role.

Farewell friend, colleague and visionary Trisha Larsen

The North American golf industry lost a giant, a bright light and shapeshifter with the passing of our good friend Trisha Larsen just a few short weeks ago.

Upon hearing the news of losing her battle with cancer at age 54, I was in total shock. I’m still struggling with comprehending this like thousands of others that were blessed to know her and her work. We’re the same age and I have worked with Trisha and her team since 1994. In fact, she was one of my first-ever advertising clients.

Trisha was a leader and founder of the British Columbian company The Web Advisors, based in Vernon, B.C., nestled in among the Okanogans where she made so many impacts. If you played golf on mainland B.C. or on Vancouver Island at any time in the last 25 years, it’s nearly impossible that her work, vision and talent didn’t touch your links experiences in some way. She raised up, grew and invented the marketability of golf in B.C. in countless ways across Canada and the U.S. Her dynamic reputation is one of grace, strength, care and accountability — her results are immeasurable, and she was a one-of-a-kind talent.

Trisha was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sibling, co-worker and friend and those that knew her all echo the same sentiments. We greatly respect the many projects we collaborated on with her and her company over the years via our magazines and golf expos. I had the great pleasure of writing about B.C. golf on the island and mainland many times because of her invitations to join her media trips she designed and set up. Our hearts are with her lovely family and The Web Advisors team.

Trisha’s family has requested that you please consider a donation in her name to your local SPCA or the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

Thank you for your patronage and support this year, enjoy and embrace the holiday season, AND, AS ALWAYS, TAKE IT EASY.