EFC Federation Cup Announces Golf Award Name Change to MacGowan Memorial Cup

In honour of twins Barry and Bruce MacGowan, one of the EFC Federation Cup golf awards will now be renamed the MacGowan Memorial Cup, originally the Barry MacGowan Memorial Cup. This award name change decision was made to include both twins’ names, Barry who passed away in late 2014, and Bruce who recently passed in early April.

Both brothers were very dedicated to their role as committee members while on the EFC Federation Cup Golf Planning Committee, with Barry being Chair once and Bruce being Chair twice. Bruce was also the brainchild behind advanced golf foursome booking during the EFC Annual Industry Conference in 2013, aiming for a sold-out tournament within the first few hours.

Barry and Bruce were diligent in recruiting for golf sponsorships, silent auction items, and golf foursome registrations. Their talent closely matched with the connections they had within the industry, made it hard for any member to say no to sponsoring, registering, or donating items to the Federation Cup Tournament every August.

Bruce recently stepped down from the EFC Federation Cup Golf Planning Committee in January 2023, after retiring from Royal Pipe.

We asked the EFC Federation Cup Golf Planning Committee for their memories of Bruce.

• “Bruce always believed that ‘success is not accident … that it comes from hard work,’” says Mike Buchholz, O’Neil Electric Supply Ltd. “He loved this industry and worked hard all his life. It is fitting he joins his brother with his name aboard the MacGowan Memorial Cup,” Mike adds.
• “Bruce was more than an industry legend, he was a friend to all; Bruce always put family first and I really admired that,” remarks Steve Spade, Wheatland Tube. “I couldn’t think of a better way to honour Bruce with his name beside his brother Barry and renaming the trophy the MacGowan Memorial Cup,” Steve adds.
• “We have lost a great electrical industry leader, competitor, and friend,” says Chris Scott, Northern Cables, EFC Federation Cup Committee Alumni Member.  “Always giving, whether it be a resolution to an issue or just to add another one of his pearls of wisdom, asked for or not, his stepping up, volunteering, and leadership made the electrical industry a great and better place. He would be thrilled to be honoured with his brother this way,” Chris says.
• Says Daryl Witiuk, Northwinds Corporation: “Bruce’s energy and contagious laugh will be missed but never forgotten. His unconditional willingness to help and always putting others before him were just a few of his many qualities. Bruce was a friend, colleague, and a first-class industry leader who will be missed by many.”
• “What a great way to honour the legacy of the twins with the MacGowan Cup,” exclaims Danny Buchanan, Rexel, EFC Federation Cup Planning Committee Vice-Chair. “Bruce and Barry were always very active on the Committee and helped make the event the success it is today,” he says.

EFC Federation Cup Team Lead Nathalie Lajoie adds that both brothers had such an incredible impact matched with unique personalities. they were both industry icons and were able to recruit sponsorships and registrations so effectively with EFC members to have a successful and sold-out tournament each year. The award name change is an honourable and fitting showcase of the legacy of the MacGowan brothers, both of whom dedicated their time and effort to support the EFC Federation Cup Golf Tournament, along with other committee members. They also took pride in attending other EFC regional golf tournaments in Quebec, Ontario, and Atlantic Regions. They will both be missed tremendously by all those who knew them. A special recognition is being planned for this year’s tournament on August 21^st.

Bruce now joins his wife Deborah, and his brother Barry. Bruce’s two daughters, Cait and Caralin would like to thank the industry for their support and kindness during this difficult time.