Meet Chuck MacDonald.
A 31-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces brought many challenges for Chuck and his family. Serving operationally with the Army, Air Force and the Navy it took Chuck to many locations in throughout Canada, Europe, North and South America, the North and South Atlantic Oceans and the Caribbean. Chuck finished my military career in 1994 as the Commanding Officer of the well known Diefenbunker on the outskirts of Ottawa.
Entering private business in 1991 his partner and Chuck developed the “new” concept of brew-on-premise brewing. Together they built the business into a 9-store franchised operation in eastern Ontario; which, they sold to a Corporate interest in 1999. Shortly after Chuck was recruited by an outsourcing firm, Calian Group, to assist them prepare to bid a government contract. This led to a 11-year career as the Senior Contract Manager for Calian located in Kingston ON responsible for up to 600 contract employees across Canada.
Seeking retirement in 2010 Chuck headed to Arizona in his motorhome and discovered the sound of pickleball. Chuck’s first lesson led to the well known “pickle obsession” and his life changed forever. Following his second season in Arizona he returned to Canada on a mission to spread the news and became a founding member for both the Frontenac and Kingston Pickleball Clubs in 2012.
Having had success playing local, State, Provincial and National tournaments, Chuck was asked in 2014 to become the Director of Training for the Palm Creek Pickleball Club in Casa Grande AZ with a membership ranging from 600 to 1000 depending on the date. This brought together all his new found pickleball skills with his military and business background. Soon training future pickleballers became a fulltime role each winter with 3-5 clinics per week. Running tournament operations and acting as an advisor for other tournament directors filled the remainder of his winter days.
Chuck was recruited by Pickleball Canada to act as an advisor in 2016 on matters related to Training, Tournaments and Ratings as the organization began down the path to National recognition until 2019.