PURPOSE
Create and Inspire Genuine Lifetime Experiences.
MISSION STATEMENT
We create and inspire genuine hospitality experiences. We take a humble approach, aiming to be admired and respected by our guests, members, and the community. Our team of caring employees take a sense of ownership over everything that we do and are empowered to innovate, by inspiring new ways to invest in our people and in our facilities to exceed guests’ expectations.
Our team Members
ROB STAFFEN | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rob Staffen is an entrepreneur, avid golfer, and the Chairman of the Board at the St. Marys Golf & Country Club. He purchased the golf course in 1993, alongside three other local families, to save and develop it for the St. Marys community and future generations. His leadership has transformed the Club into a thriving hub for golf enthusiasts while preserving and enhancing its natural beauty. Rob's philanthropic endeavours extend beyond the course, supporting local charities and environmental conservation. He continues to guide the Club towards a bright and sustainable future, leaving a lasting impact on St. Marys.
MATT STAFFEN | PARTNER, PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER
Matt graduated from the Ivey Business School with Honours in Business Administration and Masters in Business degrees. He joined the Club as Director of Operations and is now President and General Manager. Matt is dedicated to creating genuine golf, dining, special event, and accommodations experiences and believes that the employees are the key to the Club's success. Together with his wife Ashton, Director of Sales & Marketing, they have expanded the staff from 20 to over 100 and continue to aim for sustainable growth and expansion to provide an end-to-end hospitality experience.
ASHTON STAFFEN | PARTNER, DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
While completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ashton honed her expertise in personal relations and understanding the needs of others. With a flair for creativity, she pursued post-graduate studies in Event Management, where her passion for wedding planning was cultivated. Since joining us in 2014, Ashton has been the driving force behind our reputation as one of Southwestern Ontario’s premier wedding venues, leading our Special Events Team, our online presence, and the design transformation across our property. Now, as our Director of Sales & Marketing, Ashton is committed to elevating the creative direction of all four of our brands, ensuring genuine lifetime experiences are translated from the digital to the physical for all guests of St. Marys Golf, Social Thirty-One, The Penrose Suites, and St. Marys Weddings.
BRANDON DE GROOTE | PARTNER, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Growing up in St. Marys, the St. Marys Golf & Country Club was Brandon’s childhood course. After returning home from Vancouver, BC, it came full circle when Brandon joined the Club in a leadership role. With a background in education as a former Center Director at two Sylvan Learning Centres, he is passionate about sharing his love for golf, dining, and hospitality experiences with members, guests, and the local community. Brandon is focused on developing genuine lifetime experiences for everyone who visits the Golf Club, Social Thirty-One restaurant, and the Penrose Suites.
MARK MCMURRAY | FINANCE MANAGER
Mark graduated from Carleton University's Sprott School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce and has been with the Staffen family's business since 2016. As the Director of Finance & Administration, Mark supports the team and instills the organization's vision and core values. He was a leading force in the development of the Club's restaurant, Social Thirty-One, and enjoys supporting all teams in achieving their financial and people-related goals. "It is a wonderful feeling to be a part of the dynamic team that is entrusted with providing genuine lifetime experiences to our members, guests, and clients."
REBECCA PARSONS | GOLF OPERATIONS MANAGER
Rebecca has been a dedicated employee of St. Marys Golf & Country Club since 2007, working in different roles. She has a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from York University and brings a positive attitude and excellent attention to detail to the golf operations departments. She loves being part of the golf community and providing excellent customer service. Rebecca values the friendly atmosphere at the family-run business and enjoys getting to know members and regulars.
KELLEN FIFIELD | GOLF COACH & ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR
Kellen's love for golf began at a young age when he started working as a ball boy. He has been with the Club for over 20 years and graduated from Niagara College's Professional Golf Management program. Kellen is passionate about developing junior golfers and instilling in them proper golf etiquette that they can carry with them throughout their lives. He aims to help golfers of all backgrounds and skill levels improve their confidence and lower their scores.
JULIAN BANSIE | EXECUTIVE CHEF
Chef Julian's love for cooking began at a young age and led him to graduate with Honours in Culinary Management from George Brown College. He gained professional experience at Toronto's Canoe and The Carlu, where he hosted high-profile celebrities. Julian also worked with Oliver & Bonancini to grow their exclusive TIFF venue. Now leading the SMGCC culinary team, Julian's attention to detail and passion for cooking drives him to strive for excellence. He believes in routine and consistency as pillars of a strong culinary team and aims to teach his team something new every day.
SHELBY FAWCETT | HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST
Shelby has a Diploma in Social Service Work from Mohawk College and is pursuing an HR Certificate from Conestoga College. With 4 years of experience in manufacturing, Shelby moved from HR Specialist to Payroll/Benefits Specialist. Enjoying hospitality roles, Shelby is skilled in building rapport and listening empathetically, and is a team player who is adaptable and organized. As an HR Generalist, she aims to create an approachable, safe, and supportive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to be their best at SMGCC.