30 years of golf and community at Shooters

Shooters Family Golf Centre breaks down its success on 30th anniversary. Family-run golf business thanks Winnipeg for three decades of success. Shooters Family Golf Centre credits its great service catered to community for its impressive growth

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Shooters Family Golf Centre has been operating in Winnipeg as the only 18-hole executive course in the city for three decades. As the locally-owned institution celebrates 30 years, it’s clear that ‘family’ has been key to its success. Family-owned since inception, the course strives to offer a little something for everyone—whether it’s a relaxing game of golf, a thrilling mini-golf experience with the kids, corporate tournaments, special events, weddings or just a delicious bite to eat with friends.

Located at 2731 Main Street and bordered by the picturesque Red River to the east, Shooters features an 18-hole, par-57 golf course, a 100-station driving range (some with grass tees), 18 holes of miniature golf and a pro shop. Open year-round, the clubhouse features a restaurant, outdoor patio in summer, and a golf simulator to keep practicing your swing—even when there’s snow on the ground.

“We built it from scratch,” said Shooters President, Guido Cerasani. He and his wife started the business on the site of a defunct driving range. It began with just a mini-golf course and driving range, but they expanded considerably by purchasing adjoining land and building a new pro shop, financed with help from ACU.

This expansion also served to streamline operations. “We process all of the golf out of our new pro shop, and we’re able to serve more people with better service,” explained Guido. “When we started, we processed everything out of a little hut that was left over from the previous owner.”

From corporate banking to Winnipeg golf course owners

Guido and his wife, Sue, worked in corporate banking for a national bank before opening Shooters.

“I was always entrepreneurial in spirit,” said Guido, who has also owned a mail order/import business and an irrigation company. “When I became a corporate banker and started golfing at private clubs with my clients, it could be intimidating. I thought, ‘One day I’m going to build a golf course where everyone’s equal,’ and then we became the city’s first family golf centre.”

At the beginning, the couple was on double duty, as Guido still worked in banking when he started building the course and Sue was home with the babies.

“I would leave work and come here,” he recalled. “I’d hop on a loader or grader until dark and then go home. It was basically farmland.”

Fun & friendly golf for all

From the start, Shooters aimed to be an inclusive, fun Winnipeg golf experience.

“Our biggest thing is that we’re family-friendly and welcoming,” Guido noted of their vision. “We’re not a big-ticket golf course. You can still play 18 holes for around 30 bucks.”

Shooters also offers lessons and corporate golf services as well as banquet facilities to cater to all types of social events, celebrations or business meetings. Customized golf events can also be arranged, making for some memorable group experiences. Shooters also does catering for off-site events.

Guido and Sue’s children, Amy and Eason, have been involved with the business their whole lives.

“The kids have grown up here,” Guido said. “Our son runs the pro shop and our daughter runs the restaurant and food services. We see a lot of family groups come here and now they’re pretty much like part of our family. They talk about how they remember our kids when they were tiny and sitting in the ball bins.”

Shooters employs about 50 people during peak business, and works to keep most staff on year-round.

“Many kids from the neighbourhood have worked here over the years, selling balls or getting people out on the course,” Guido explained. “We’ve had a few that have done everything here, inside and outside.”

A better business partnership with ACU

The Cerasani family first connected with Assiniboine Credit Union in 2009, when Guido and Sue were interested in purchasing the neighbouring Northgate Trailer Park.

“ACU had just built the branch over here, so I reached out,” Guido recalled. “The big thing with ACU is having that personal relationship. That’s huge.”

Guido praised ACU for their approach — for going well above and beyond the impersonal, traditional lending that you might get at other financial institutions. A big part of that has been ACU’s Business Financial Centre (BFC), which has become a part of the extended Shooters family.

“ACU was very receptive to all our requests. They provided excellent financial support for expansions and purchases,” he explained. For Guido, he has appreciated that a credit union like ACU has had an interest in his family’s success. “I was a corporate banker for 20 years, so I definitely know the other side!”

Giving back to the community

One constant throughout Shooters’ three decades has been the family’s focus on charity. Every August, Shooters hosts the popular Survivor Golf Event in support of Diabetes Canada. Inspired by the reality TV series, players are guaranteed four holes of golf, with elimination starting after the first three warm-up holes and the player with the highest score bowing out. Over the years, the event has raised nearly $20,000 for the charity. Shooters also supports Swimability and many other charities.

It has been important to Guido and his family to give back to the city that has sustained them for three decades. “We support the community in any way we can, through donations and giveaways. Prizes encourage our clientele to contribute to causes we support.”

This year’s Survivor Golf event, sponsored by ACU’s BFC, will be extra special. In honour of their 30th anniversary, the August 12 event will be both a celebration of the business and a gesture of thanks to their loyal clientele.

“We want to thank the community for supporting us for thirty years. Everyone is welcome!”

To book a Winnipeg golf activity, fun outing, tournament, special events or catering, visit Shooters Family Golf Centre.

Learn more about ACU’s Business Financial Centre and how they can support your business growth strategy now and into the future.

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