05/30/2026
CommunityVotes Cowichan Valley Awards! 🏆
Thank you to our amazing community for your support,
nominations, and votes.
🥇 Platinum – Golf Courses & Country Clubs
🥈 Silver – Golf Lessons
We truly appreciate every member, guest, staff member, and supporter who continues to make Mount Brenton Golf Course, Vancouver Island's Hidden Gem, such a special place.
Thank you, Cowichan Valley! 💚
Our Mount Brenton Pub won a bronze medal!
Happy Trails, Amanda!
Amanda joined our office staff in March and teamed up with Victoria to keep the office running on all cylinders.
She was head-hunted by BC Ferries, and the board and members are sorry to see her leave, but wish her the best.
Below is her farewell note.
To the Board Members, Pro-Shop Staff, Grounds Crew, Restaurant Team, Office Staff, and Members of Mount Brenton Golf Course.
As I say farewell, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who makes Mount Brenton Golf Course such a special place.
Without question, this is the best golf club in the Cowichan Valley — not just because of the course itself, but because of the people behind it. It’s clear that the employees, board members, and members all take great pride in keeping this club thriving, and that pride shows in everything that happens here every day.
We are incredibly fortunate to work and play in such an amazingly beautiful setting. Places like this are rare, and preserving them while helping them continue to grow should always remain the priority. The course, the clubhouse and the entire atmosphere exist because of the dedication and care of so many people working behind the scenes.
There is truly countless work that goes unnoticed every single day. Without the efforts of the board, the pro-shop, the grounds crew, the restaurant staff, the office staff, and all those who contribute their time and energy, this club simply would not exist.
My hope moving forward is that everyone continues to work together, rather than against each other, to protect and strengthen what makes Mount Brenton such an amazing place. When people support one another and work toward the same goal, great things can happen!
Thank you all for the friendships, memories, hard work, and support. It’s been a privilege to be part of Mount Brenton Golf Course, and I’ll always cherish my time here.
I wish you all the very best,
Amanda Read
Thanks to the members who attended Tuesday’s Annual General Meeting.
President Tom Andrews was unable to attend the gathering due to medical issues, but below is the Cole’s Notes version of his remarks.
Tom is back on his feet and was practicing putting and chipping today.
Leadership & Grounds
Jessie Gillies hired as “pro temp” Grounds Superintendent: Assimilating well and on track to take over from “Super GS” Ernie Whitelaw in Jan 2027.
Irrigation upgrades continue: Holes 2,3,4,5,6,8,11,12 completed. Plans for 13, 1, and 9 this winter will bring the project to 60% complete. The goal is to finish the remaining 7 holes over the next 4 winters, plus tee levelling and rebuilding #7 Tee and #16 Green. The crew’s winter work and members’ patience got a shout-out.
Facilities & Equipment
6 new rental carts added: Fleet now at 36, covering demand for daily play and 18-hole tournaments without expensive temporary rentals.
Parking & clubhouse upgrades: Curbs added at the west end of the parking lot to increase parking capacity; new exterior lighting, HVAC system, pro shop lighting/painting, and a new front counter.
Maintenance gear: G&G team bought a greens mower, spare reels, a trim mower, a dump trailer, a drill press, a plate compactor, a backpack blower, and a rock screen.
Business & Programs
Record year in 2025: Record green fee revenue and ∼58,000 rounds. Puts MBGC in the top 3 busiest courses on Vancouver Island.
Tournaments: Hosted 25 events, many with record participation.
Junior program: Nearing 100 juniors. Built from the ground up with a focus on accessibility for all families. New advanced tees added for juniors and beginners.
Women’s golf growth: More female golfers are playing than ever before.
Clubhouse & Community
Mount Brenton Pub: Entering year 3, serving both members and the public. New decking completed. Operator and liaison director efforts highlighted.
Community support: Senior men sponsoring/donating to clubs for juniors; leagues donating 50/50 proceeds to the local food bank.
Administration & Stability
Share registry & compliance: The new registry and fixes to irregularities removed regulatory risk. Proactive measures in place for future boards.
Financials: Audit shows finances in excellent shape. Healthy mix of member and guest revenue, with careful expense management.
HR moves: SEIU union contract gives 3 years of groundskeeping stability. New 3-year agreement with Jan, with added funding for cart upkeep. Front office upheaval highlighted the role’s complexity and the importance of public relations.
Volunteers: Volunteer directors recognized for managing club affairs.
The quiet win: The invisible irrigation replacement. No “wow” factor, but it’s the biggest improvement to the course this year.
Thanks to you, the members, for supporting the junior program, donating to local charities, refurbishing memorial benches, helping out on divot days, and taking on many other initiatives like organizing leagues to make Mt Brenton a great golf course it is.
Thanks to Rachael and her staff for making tonight a memorable and welcoming event.
Thanks to everyone for coming out tonight and getting involved in the administrative requirements of managing the club.
Good night and swing easy.
Tom Andrews
Thanks to Laura Rasmussen, our newest board member, and to Leigh Bennett and Chris Hennessey, who have re-upped to keep our club running smoothly.
