Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/110267
TL1303-proof 2/14/13 9:05 AM Page 1 Continued From Previous Page imperative. This is where our Media and Publicity approach must begin! is leading the association in the direction Over the past year, our continued and given by its members and directors. devoted involvement with the AGAJerry is always looking for input from BC reflects our last years goal of members, whether it is questioning our developing a very viable presence in direction or helping to direct it, so please the Golf and Turf Industry. We worked if there is something that concerns you, closely to develop and finalize the AGAthen it's worth your time to contact a BC constitution, provide expertise and director or our executive director. I've administration in support of the AGAnever worked with a group quicker to BC's pesticide stance and played a respond to the concerns of its significant role in the development and membership. The only way you as a execution of the 1st symposium on member will ever know how much golf, as put on by the AGA-BC. work goes on behind the scenes of your We are making our presence known, WCTA is to get on the board or join a we are at the table and we are committee, which I encourage each contributing and making a difference! and every one of you to do at some time in your career. Sorry to sound like Sincerely, Trevor Smith a broken record, but our association is only as strong as its members. As we Research all know our industry is facing many PETER SOROKOVSKY challenges and these challenges need CITY OF BURNABY, SUPERINTENDENT strong association representation to OF GOLF OPERATIONS face them head on. The days of burying Another enjoyable year serving our our heads in sand are gone, so please great membership on the WCTA Board come forward from whatever sector of of Directors has come and gone and at our industry you are in and add your the end of 2012 I will have served 5 input, the board and your association years. I find myself asking the question need you. where does the time go? I guess when Again, it's been my pleasure serving as one enjoys doing something time flies director of the WCTA for you the just as it has with my time on the WCTA members. Board. This year was no different than previous ones in that we have old and Larry Olson new challenges to our industry. I hope in 2013 we continue to grow our great Industry Liaison, Publicity association and you will consider contacting me with any of your & Media concerns/suggestions as we move TREVOR SMITH forward in our industry with the WCTA KESO TURF SUPPLIES As the business of golf changes and Board and Executive Director. evolves, so does the need to be "present" The portfolio I was involved with this as an Association, with the large portion past year was "Research". As the of the industry who faithfully support Research Chairperson, I see the hard the WCTA and its members, "the work that was put in by the Board in Industry". Without Industry support past years coming to fruition as other many of the directives of the Association associations look to the WCTA for would not able to be carried out. leadership. We have partnered with Over the past 2 years a database of all the Canadian Turfgrass Research Industry representatives has been Foundation and the Ontario Turfgrass compiled with the objective of being Research Foundation to streamline able to better communicate the our calls for proposal (CFP). In 2012 pressures and issues the business is one national CFP went out and we facing. This database will better enable received a record number, for the us to communicate with Industry from WCTA, submissions. Excellent news all our Allied Associations and to enlist except for our research funding is less than past years and the committee their feedback and support. will have difficulty selecting from the As I mentioned in my last portfolio 16 strong submissions. So, for 2013 report, with the change in the economy this will be one of our main focuses; and the Turf Industry, the need to let to put our full effort towards others outside the Turf Industry know increasing our fundraising. Our goal what value our Association and its to be the funding hub of Turfgrass members provide to the economy is Research in the Pacific Northwest is 58 WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION still before us and with your continued support we can ensure that we accomplish it. In the past year we supported the CGSA at their annual field day held at Oliver's Nk'Mip Canyon Golf Course. During the event, the popular "Make the Snake" raised money for research. We have other events and partners that also helped raise money for research in 2012 and I want to take the opportunity to thank all our partners that have supported Turfgrass Research by donating to the WCTA. On another note, the WCTA had the desired influence in our industry and with the Provincial Government in helping us win a pesticide use battle. However the war is far from over and I believe research will be the spearhead that will keep our use of pesticides viable in an ever increasing environmentally sensitive society. As a strong voice for Turfgrass Research and the Golf Industry I look forward to my involvement continuing in 2013 as a WCTA Board Director and as your Research Chairperson. Respectfully submitted, Peter Sorokovsky Government Liaison BRETT LAMONTAGNE MID-ISLAND LANDSCAPING My role as government liaison for 2012 has quieted down from the previous year. The NDP now has me on their mailing list which is like being on the force of nature mailing list except Gathercole and company have not asked me for money yet. The old adage of keep your friends close and your enemies closer definitely applies in both cases. We have an election in BC coming up shortly. I am going to pose the following question to all party leaders. "If elected government, will your party impose a pesticide ban of any kind on this province. Yes or no answer only." I am interested in seeing the responses from all the illustrious leaders. I wish to let my name stand for another two year term as director. I believe I can be an asset in dealing with some of the political garbage coming our way. The world of landscaping has opened my eyes to the misinformation that is out there about turf management. The worst offenders for this are the so called environmentalists. I have really learned to bite my tongue and let them hang themselves. Kind Regards Brett Lamontagne Professional Development and Education BRETT FINLAYSON ARBUTUS RIDGE GOLF CLUB In 2012, I took over the reins from Kevin Neufeld in managing the Mentor Booth at the WCTA Conference and Trade Show in Victoria. I felt there were few hiccups and the booth went well considering it was my first year at the helm. I would like to thank Kevin and Jerry Rousseau for the assistance in making the transition successful. I would also like to say thank you to all the participants of the 2012 Mentor Booth for making it a success. It was a great opportunity for new "turfies" to meet some of the top professionals within our industry and hopefully there were some great connections made. Heading into the 2013 conference, I felt the need to be more organized and have a proper game plan setup for this task. Creating a procedures list along with a timeline for the Mentor Booth has made this process much more enjoyable and less stressful. This will also make future transitions of this task onto new board members that much easier. I look forward to seeing everyone in Penticton at our 50th Annual Conference and Trade Show and hope everyone has a great time. Here is to a successful 2013! Respectfully submitted, Brett Finlayson Professional Development and Education JASON PICK OLDS COLLEGE It has been my pleasure to contribute to the progress of the WCTA, as a board member partnering with Mr. Finlayson, on the Professional Development and Education portfolio. Furthering the WCTA's educational reach, I have enjoyed representing the association with seminars in Western Canada at the AGSA, BCGSA, and SATA conferences. In addition to these speaking engagements, my primary focus of the portfolio since 2010 has been to investigate, develop, and implement new educational opportunities for our Continued On Next Page