Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/110267
TL1303-proof 2/14/13 9:07 AM Page 1 CAMPUS NEWS BY STAN KAZYMERCHYK, INSTRUCTOR, KWANTLEN TURF MANAGMENT PROGRAM NEWS FROM KWANTLEN STEVE BROCCOLO, LEFT, STANDS WITH PAGODA RIDGE SUPERINTENDENT REED GROSART IMAGE CREDIT STAN KAZYMERCHYK This was originally to be another report about Kwantlen Turfgrass student activities, but reviewing Steve Broccolo's biography got me detoured. Reading about Steve's life emphasized for me the real strength our profession. Steve shares with us his early love for the game of golf, his positive experiences in turf care and continually remembers the people instrumental in his career. The intrigue of turfgrass management grew with every step of his career, as new mentors and new responsibilities fostered Steve's career development. He concludes by assessing his present status and recognizing his intermediate and ultimately long term goals, all based on genuine excitement for his profession. Turfgrass management is about much more than a spectacular office, a love for our sport and continual dedication to perfection. Steve's career epitomizes how 'straight up' the people of turf are: Mentors who guide and care about our career; Peers who openly share, play, laugh and talk game with us; Dealers who are genuine friends; Turfgrass managers from other disciplines who talk and understand our language. Thank you all! Stan Kazymerchyk Hi, my name is Steve Broccolo. I am from Swift Current and after high school spent some time moving around Saskatchewan before moving to B.C. I was introduced to golf when I was 10 years old, where I instantly fell in love with the game. As a teenager I played at Chinook and Elmwood golf courses in Swift Current. In grade 12, I had my first experience working on a golf course, with Doug Levins at Chinook. After high school I worked for a summer with Richard Berg at Elmwood golf club, followed with a position at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon working for Doug Campbell. In the summer of 2006 I moved out to Langley. I was amazed with the mountain views and how much better the weather was compared to the prairies. I was very excited I could golf all year round! When I moved to B.C I worked for Reed Grosart at Sandpiper Golf Club. After working a few seasons with Reed, I was intrigued by what it takes to maintain a golf course. I wanted to learn more and knew the only way to move up in the industry was to go to school. Since Kwantlen was in my area, I decided to apply and get my diploma in Turfgrass Management. I am almost finished my diploma. In 2011, I obtained a job with Dave Fair at Northview Golf and Country Club. In my second season at Northview, I was promoted to Spray Tech/Foreman. I love the variety of tasks and responsibilities, the people I encounter on the golf courses and getting to mix my hobby with my profession. I didn't know it took so much to maintain a golf course. It's truly and mixture of art and science. At Northview I operate the Cirrus Irrigation Control System but would also like to experience other irrigation systems. Gaining more spray and Foreman experience would also be an asset to completing my overall skill set in turfgrass management. It is very important to me to have the knowledge, experience, confidence and understanding before I move forward with my career. These components will help me move onto larger Canadian, American and international courses. Eventually, I would like to travel the world and work on golf courses. I look forward to an exciting career in the golf course industry. 18 WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION THE WCTA MEMBERSHIP VALUE PROPOSITION The Western Canada Turfgrass Association is dedicated to turf research, education and discussion and serves over 700 members in the golf and sportsturf industry. We've been around since 1958 and that basic mandate has evolved into a variety of services, any one of which might assist you in your career. Like most industry organizations, we provide valuable programs to our members such as the following: - host an annual educational conference and trade show - publish a quarterly magazine - circulate industry job postings - track pesticide recertification credits (BC only) - print and distribute an annual member and supplier directory The WCTA is also very active with related organizations like the Allied Golf Association, the Sports Turf Association, the BCRPA, BCLNA and others. The WCTA is unique however, in that we raise and distribute funds directly to turf research projects that help our members solve problems at their jobs. Many of our educational offerings focus on professional development as well and more recently, we're keeping turf managers abreast of news articles and stories that affect them. The WCTA is also the leading voice for the professional sports turf industry in British Columbia. We correspond and liaise with several government branches, the media and special interest groups in order to support and advocate for the golf and sportsturf profession on your behalf. Our most profound involvement as of late has been tied to the issue of pesticide use. Our turf management members support the responsible use of IPM and in fact, added a statement of such to our Constitution on February 2nd, 2010. In British Columbia, we have made considerable efforts over the last two years advocating for IPM, knowing that a blanket ban on pesticides would have serious negative consequences for many of our members. Having said that, we realize many are already working under restrictive legislation but support the elimination of the confusing patchwork of municipal regulation in favour of a provincial approach. The WCTA is not about resisting change, rather, it stands for continual betterment of the entire industry through research, education and discussion. Understandably, busy days in the field (pardon the pun) don't leave much time to think about or keep up to changes happening all around us but the outside influences and pressures that affect you, like it or not, are greater than ever before. We're here to help. Of utmost importance for all those with a vested interest in the turf industry is to stand together and we respectfully solicit you to become a member of the WCTA to help make that possible. Membership is extremely reasonably priced at $225 per year. It is becoming more difficult to continue our advocacy work while providing a valuable range of member services and events. Government is looking toward industry groups like the WCTA to self-regulate and is downloading more onto nongovernment-organizations (NGO's) all the time. Whether you're a member or not, these actions eventually have a wide-reaching effect and it seems to make more sense to stand on the inside looking out rather than the outside looking in. Thank you very much and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate contacting Jerry Rousseau at exec.director@wctaturf.com. We hope to see you as a WCTA member in the near future. Congratulations To The WCTA On Your 50th Annual Trade Show from all the staff at Inside Golf Inc. OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION PARTNER TO THE WCTA