University Golf Club

Key Personnel - Food & Beverage

 Ivan Bilenki - Food and Beverage Manager

Ivan is another smart fella who came out to the left coast from Ontario.  He is the Food and Beverage Manager here at UGC and has been since 2000.  He has worked in the hospitality industry for over 27 years in a management capacity with stints at Kelsey's Restaurants, Romano's Macaroni Grill (Spectra Group) and Planet Hollywood.

Ivan may not have scored 5 hole in ones but he has had his moment of fame!  In the summer of 2009 he was selected as a Torch Bearer for the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.  He ran his leg on Sunday November 1st, 2009 in Nanaimo, BC.

As for golf, Ivan is a left handed golfer but as he says when he is addressing the ball, he is standing on the right side of the ball.

Favourite saying - "Market Research".  The next time you see him, ask him why.

Executive Chef Ron Gibb

Our Executive Chef Ron Gibb is a transplanted Scot.  Born in St. Andrews, the home of golf, he now works at the Golf Club and guess what….he doesn’t golf!

Ron worked the first ten years of his career in Europe before moving to the West Coast where he has won numerous awards and medals in his field. He is a strong believer of using local produce as much as possible.

Interesting fact - Ron has cooked for Fidel Castro, President Jimmy Carter, numerous entertainers and the Royal family.  

Another interesting fact - He once set the fire alarm off while cooking an omelet at an omelet station for Prime Minister Jean Chretien!

George Hamilton - Westward Ho! Restaurant Manager

George has been with our UGC team since our new clubhouse opened in 1986. Yes that is more than 25 years! He has held the positions of banquet captain, banquet manager, assistant restaurant manager, assistant Food & Beverage manager, and is now Manager of the Westward Ho! and outside Food & Beverage Services. 

Originally from Winnipeg, George moved to Vancouver in 1969 as a drummer. After 10 years he was ready for a change and the late hours, and the fun people of the food and bevrage industry suited him well. He started at a very busy West Side pub and at the same time spent a few years taking restaurant management and communication classes. George still plays music, loves his Nikon and is addicted to mystery novels.

As for Golf...“I golf so others can see how good their game is”.

"Every day of this job is completely different from the last one. I work with great people. And who in their right mind would not like to come to work every day in this beautiful setting."

Joni Martinson - Event Coordinator (Wedding & Banquet)

Joni is a local gal who loves life at UGC.  She's been a part of the Food & Beverage team since 1988 when she started as our 10th tee kiosk gal and has moved through the Food and Beverage department from Banquet Server, Bartender and Banquet Captain to an Assistant Supervisor and now our Event Coordinator for wedding and banquets.  When not busy event planning at UGC she concentrates on family, friends, fitness, some golf (no hole-in-ones as yet) and learning about wine.  Joni recently received her WSET Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits.  She looks forward to working with you on your next event at University Golf Club.

Dave Whitaker - Banquet Manager

Born and raised a short walk from the golf course, Dave is as local as it gets. He’s been working at the club for seven years in a number of different capacities: in banquets, the Westward Ho! Public House and Grill Room, and as a food and beverage Duty Manager. Most recently he spent three years as the Event Coordinator (Tournaments & Golf Events) before moving into his current role as Banquet Manager. A Hospitality Management grad, Dave is just getting started in an industry he plans to make a career out of.