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Flowers Canada raises over $15K for floriculture research

FCO golf tournament raises over $15,000 for floriculture research and honours two entrepreneurs.

July 29, 2019  By Flowers Canada (Ontario) (edited)


FCO executive director Andrew Morse presents awards to Bob Martin and Andy Hendriks for their achievements and contributions to the floriculture industry.

Flowers Canada (Ontario) Inc. (FCO) held their 47th annual Golf Tournament on June 26th, 2019 on a perfect “made-to-order” summer’s day.

With support from FCO’s many sponsors, volunteers and staff, FCO raised over $15,000 for floriculture research – the most money ever raised in the tournament’s 47-year history.

Over 122 players registered to play on this beautiful afternoon at the Peninsula Lakes Golf Course, considered by many to be “the Jewel of Niagara,” located in Fenwick, Ontario.

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After working up an appetite on the course, golfers enjoyed Peninsula Lakes’ signature pork roast buffet while networking with fellow growers and other industry participants.

As part of the evening’s festivities, FCO held its annual awards ceremony. Each year FCO honors two individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Ontario’s floriculture sector. This years’ award winners, Bob Martin of Martin Farms and Andy Hendriks of Hendriks Greenhouses, were honoured for being groundbreaking entrepreneurs whose foresight and commitment have benefited the floriculture sector. Both of these gentlemen were also recognized for their involvement in community projects both close to home and in other parts of the world.

Bob Martin was presented with FCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The owner and operator of Martin Farms Ltd., Martin’s business was originally established as a market garden in 1913 by Leo Martin Senior. In its early beginnings, Martin Farms grew a wide assortment of vegetables for sale to local grocery stores and from a stall at the St. Catharines’ Farmers Market. In the late 1920’s, Leo Sr. built his first greenhouse to supply vegetable plants to local farmers. By the 1930’s, Martin Farms was the second largest employer in the area. Their operation now focuses exclusively on the production of greenhouse grown plants for the home gardener. Although vegetable plants remain their specialty, Martin Farms produces an extensive catalogue of flowering garden plants. They supply independent garden centres and chain stores across Ontario with quality products under the store brand, as well as Martin Farms’ own brand under “The Veggie Guy” premium label. Carrying on with the traditions that Leo Sr. installed in them, Martin and his son Charlie, along with a group of dedicated staff, strive to ensure that they continue their roles as environmental stewards using both the legacies and lessons Leo left behind, combined with modern innovations and practices.

Andy Hendriks received the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award. Having been in the greenhouse industry all his life, Hendriks attended the Dupage Horticultural School in Chicago after graduation from high school, then returned home to assume the sales side of the family greenhouse business, while his brother Rick assumed the grower responsibilities. Together they grew Hendriks Greenhouses into an industry leader of indoor gardens with the creative spirit and vision to build trending programs for their customer base. An active promoter of the floriculture industry, Hendriks has developed strategic partnerships with greenhouse operations around the world to ensure knowledge sharing and to provide opportunities for the Canadian marketplace. As part of a strategic plan to grow the family business, Freeman Herbs was purchased in 2004 and has since grown the business into the largest fresh potted herb business in Canada. Hendriks previously served as a member of Flowers Canada’s Board of Directors for four years. He also served on the board for Ag Energy and was a contributing member of the Business Risk Management Committee. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance (TOGA).

FCO is extremely grateful to all golf tournament attendees, sponsors, volunteers, staff and for the wonderful hospitality of the Peninsula Lakes Golf Course for making FCO’s 47th Annual Golf Tournament such a resounding success.

Here were the winners of the golf tournament:

  • Low Gross Team – Pim Boekestyn, Tim Moes, Jim Vanderlee, Mike Kersten
  • Founder’s Trophy – George Alkema, Brad Alkema, Dick Wynia, Roger Regneris
  • Most Honest Team – Eileen Pillitteri, Colleen O’Gorman, Bonnie Giampa, Molly Horton
  • Ladies Longest Drive – Megan Shipton
  • Men’s Longest Drive – Mathew Gibson
  • Ladies Closest to the Pin – Colleen O’Gorman
  • Men’s Closest to the Pin – Jack Langelaan
  • Closest to the Restaurant – Mark Van Dooren
  • Closest to the Wand – John Wilson
  • Winner of our Dingy Contest – Pim Boekenstyn
  • Winner of our Early Bird Draw – Craig Barlow


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