DEALER PRINCIPALS ENJOYED A VIP EXPERIENCE AT THE 47TH RBC HERITAGE TOURNAMENT WHERE THEY MET SOME OF THE WORLD’S TOP GOLFERS — AND THE PLAYERS BEHIND RBC’S AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE
The group of lucky dealers principals on the VIP trip to Hilton Head
Dealer Principal Michael Croxon is a big golf fan. So watching the 47th RBC Heritage tournament from RBC’s box overlooking the 18th hole was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Croxon, the well-known Dealer Principal of Newmarket-based NewRoads Automotive Group, was one of 18 dealer principals treated to an ultimate VIP trip to watch the 47th RBC Heritage tournament on the PGA Tour, held at the Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.
These are the winners of the grand prize in the Play for the Plaid contest sponsored by RBC Automotive Finance. The contest ran between July and October 2014, and helped raise $45,000 for the Canadian-based charity, Free the Children. That money was used to help fund educational programs and facilities in Rongena, Kenya.
Grant Simons, President, Automotive Finance at RBC, said the idea behind the Play for the Plaid contest — and its grand prize — was to create a memorable experience for some of RBC’s top clients, while helping out a good cause.
“This is what drove us to this idea of creating an incentive program that has both a fun component to it and is also supporting a worthwhile charity — Free the Children —that we have a longstanding relationship with,” said Simons, and added dealers were generous with their donations.
“The contest was fun to participate in and more fun to win,” said Croxon.
During the trip from April 13-19th, 2015, the winning dealer principals were able to hit the links at one of the local golf courses on Hilton Head Island with their fellow dealers and RBC Automotive Finance representatives.
They were also treated to a VIP observing experience and could watch the two-day tournament from the clubhouse or the prime spot in the Skybox on the 18th green.
Some dealers, including Croxon and Jim McManes, were even able to participate as honorary observers and walk inside the ropes behind the players and their caddies.
Dealers were fortunate to meet some of golf’s biggest names, including Jim Furyk, an RBC sponsored golfer who won the tournament, Mike Weir, and recent Masters champion, Jordan Spieth.
Golfers would also come out and speak at the evening Terrace Receptions, which Croxon said was one of his favourite parts of the trip.
McManes, dealer principal at East Side Dodge in Calgary, Alta. summed up the trip up in two words: “exceeded expectations.”
But for many of the dealers, the trip to Hilton Head was about having fun as much as it was about networking with the other dealers and meeting RBC Automotive Finance representatives — some of the other “players” at Hilton Head.
“We do quite a bit of business with RBC but to meet some of the players from down east who make a lot of the decisions was worthwhile,” said McManes.
“I think it’s important dealers know the players — not just the local ones but also the guys who are head of these departments,” he added.
Simons said it was great meeting with all of the dealers in one place at the same time, and learning more about them and their businesses.
“It’s an opportunity for [dealers] to get to know us and talk about the things they like about what we are doing and some things they want to see more or less of, and do it in an environment that was fun to really deepen those relationships,” said Simons.
“Ultimately it’s going to be in the best interest of us and our clients because we’re in this together.”
