February 2015
| Business World
135
of our course and the feedback we receive
from our members and guests validate the
work that we’re all doing. It gives our team
pride, separates us from the competition,
and shows that we know what we’re doing,
we’re focused on delivering and to keep it go-
ing.”
Serving such a specific, yet diverse clien-
tele involves harnessing and forging quality
relationships with reliable suppliers. True
North’s multi-faceted ties offer a unique
perspective on the importance of flexibility
within a business.
“With our low volume, there may only be a
handful of people who come on our prop-
erty in one day,” Payne said. “So the freshness
of our food and the availability of our wines
– it’s all about flexibility. Creating relation-
ships with suppliers and having them un-
derstand your business, your needs and your
pitfalls. Having them work with you makes
all the difference in the world. Having those
relationships is huge.”
“On the grounds side, we work with Toro
Equipment. They’ve been incredibly flexible
with us as far as financing and providing us
with demo units,” Payne said. “It’s an ever-
evolving industry out there when it comes
to golf course maintenance, and if you’re
