Ottawa's construction and development scene isn't all hard hats and permits — sometimes it's golf carts and putting greens. On July 7, members of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association (GOHBA) teed off at Loch March Golf Club for the HOWL Summer Golf Day, an afternoon that blended friendly competition with a genuine commitment to the community.
What is HOWL?
HOWL stands for Home Builders of Ottawa Women Leaders, a network within GOHBA dedicated to connecting and supporting women working across Ottawa's home building and renovation industry. The group regularly hosts events throughout the year, but the Summer Golf Day has become one of its most anticipated gatherings — part networking mixer, part charity fundraiser, and part excuse to enjoy a summer afternoon outdoors.
This year's event was presented by Scotiabank, whose sponsorship helped bring together builders, renovators, suppliers, and industry professionals from across the Ottawa region for a round of golf at Loch March, a well-known course in the city's west end.
Golf with a purpose
While the day had plenty of friendly competition on the fairways, the real win was for Shepherds of Good Hope, the Ottawa-based charity that provides shelter, food, and support services to some of the city's most vulnerable residents. Proceeds and donations tied to the golf day go toward helping the organization continue its work across Ottawa, particularly in the Lowertown and ByWard Market areas where its services are concentrated.
For an industry that literally builds homes across Ottawa, supporting an organization focused on housing insecurity and homelessness carries extra weight. It's a reminder that the same builders shaping new subdivisions in Barrhaven, Kanata, and Orleans are also stepping up for Ottawa residents who don't yet have a place to call home.
Building community, on and off the job site
Events like the HOWL Summer Golf Day serve a dual purpose for Ottawa's home building sector. On one hand, they're a chance for women in a historically male-dominated industry to network, mentor, and build professional relationships. On the other, they reinforce GOHBA's broader role as a community-minded organization — one that shows up for Ottawa beyond just the businesses of its members.
GOHBA represents hundreds of builders, renovators, and industry suppliers across the National Capital Region, and its members are behind much of the new housing construction that continues to reshape Ottawa's neighbourhoods. Days like this golf outing are a lighter, more social counterpart to the association's usual advocacy work on housing policy, development charges, and municipal planning issues that affect how — and how quickly — homes get built across the city.
With summer in full swing, expect more community and charity events like this from Ottawa's business associations. For now, HOWL's golf day is in the books, with Loch March's greens a little busier and Shepherds of Good Hope a little better supported thanks to Ottawa's home building community.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
