Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/62071
ifteen Kwantlen Turfgrass Management Diploma students are celebrating a very successful WCTA Conference. Turf Club Presidents Ryan Powers and Jesse Cowan showed My name is Ryan Powers and I am currently attending Kwantlen Polytechnic University to obtain a diploma in Turf Grass Management. My route into the turfgrass industry was a little different than most. I did not grow up playing golf at all it was their leadership with many hours of organizational time. We hoped to start the Conference with a Golf Tournament at Highland Pacific, but snow modified the day to a successful darts and sampling event at Strathcona. Those who transferred their motor skills from golf to darts had a great day and had a chance to connect with Kwantlen turf students. Special thanks to tee sponsor support from Taylors Turf Care, Vancouver Canadians, Lake Country Compost, Kelowna Golf Club and Olds College. We finished the day with a net profit of about $1,000 for Turfgrass Research fund. At the show, students assisted with Exhibitor move in and move out, lecture hall hosting and event ushering. They conducted several 50/50 ticket sales which generated over $1,500 for turf industry charities. Students manned the Kwantlen booth, spent time at the Mentors booth and were interviewed for several jobs. Our student speaker, Jesse Cowan did a great presentation about Gallaghers Canyon greens resodding project. Congratulations to Devon Strom, hockey all the way for me. In fact, my first real exposure to the game happened the first day I worked on a golf course in 2007. In 2001 I joined the Canadian Armed Forces where I served in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Infantry Regiment for 3 years. Upon the completion of my service in 2004, I bounced around a little bit from job to job until I landed at Fort Langley Golf Course. Within the first couple of days, I knew I had found my career. I really loved being on the golf course and worked at Grant Steinberg and Jesse Cowan on their WCTA Student Awards. Two students were almost unable to attend the show due to finances, but were generously sponsored at the last minute by David Duncan. Such is the nature of the great people in our industry! Student Grant Steinberg saw the show as invaluable for any turf student, from inspirational speakers to the professionalism & guidance shown by all he met Steve Broccolo enjoyed the excellent connections with great people, valuable talks and impressive cooperation by all in running such a show Mike Hollaar s highlight was networking with industry professionals Editor s note: On behalf of the entire WCTA membership and Board of Directors, thank you KPU turf students for all your help at this year s conference. You re awesome, we re proud of you and keep up the good work! Stan Kazymerchyk is the Turfgrass Management Instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. The Fort for one year. Since then I have been working at Swan E Set Bay Resort under Kevin Neufeld. I am always striving to learn and improve myself on the golf course and look forward to an exciting future in the turfgrass industry.