CGSA Names 2009 Award-Winners

David Boyd, golf course manager at the Heritage Pointe Golf Club in Dewinton, Alta., has been named Superintendent of the Year by the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association.

The CGSA named its 2009 award winners at its Fall Field Day national tournament in Winnipeg this week.

Boyd has held the association’s Accredited Golf Superintendents designation since 2006 and has been a member of the CGSA since 1982. He has served as superintendent as Heritage Pointe since 1991.

Boyd began his career in 1976 and was a founding member of the Alberta Golf Superintendents Association in 1986. He was elected to the CGSA board of directors in 1989 and served as association president in 1996.

He was also elected to the AGSA board in 2004 and has served on various committees and served as chair of the AGSA Property Manager’s Conference in 1999. In 1997, Boyd represented Canada at the International Golf Summit.

Future Superintendent of the Year

The Future Superintendent of the Year Award is presented to a full-time student member of the CGSA who is completing his or her graduating year in a CGSA-recognized turf management program.

Cameron Kusiek, assistant superintendent of the Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka, Alta., is the 2009 winner of the CGSA-Toro Future Superintendent Award.

Kusiek completed his Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management at the University of Guelph in 2009 after attending the University of Alberta.

Kusiek has been working at Wolf Creek Golf Resort over the past eight years and was recently promoted to assistant superintendent. For the past three years, he has
been a supervisor on weekends.

During the recent expansion at Wolf Creek to 36 holes, Kusiek had an active role
in the construction and grow-in stages.

As winner of this year’s award, Kusiek will travel to Scotland and take part in a six-week training and work experience program. He will also participate in a trip to Toro Headquarters in Minneapolis.

John B Steel Award

The CGSA John B Steel Award is presented annually to an individual chosen by the CGSA Board of Directors who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the profession of golf course superintendent.

This year’s recipient is former CGSA executive director and honourary association member Vince Gillis. Several accomplishments took place during Gillis’ tenure:
• The establishment of the CGSA National Occupational Standards, which are the basis for the CGSA certification program.

• The design of the CGSA awards and member and industry recognition programs.

• The development and publication of the first edition of the CGSA Environmental Management Resource Manual.

• Helping establish the National Allied Golf Association (NAGA).

President’s Scholarship Award

The CGSA Board of Directors established a post secondary scholarship award in 2007 to recognize the scholastic accomplishments of students who are the children or grandchildren of a CGSA member and are enrolled in the first year of a full-time, post secondary education program.

Kelsey Suter, granddaughter of life member Douglas Suter, and Katelyn Van Gool, daughter of Harold Van Gool, vice president of business development for Plant Products Co., are the 2009 recipients.

For more details on the awards, see the website, www.golfsupers.com.

Related Posts:

• CGSA Swears In First Female President
• B.C. Names Its 2011 Award-Winners
• Ladies Golf Club Names New Head Professional