Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/96024
TL1301-proof 11/28/12 9:59 AM INDISTRY NEWS Page 1 ALLIED ASSOCIATIONS SOURCE: FACEBOOK POST BY WCTA STAFF MEET COPPER POINT'S NEW FURTHER TO THE WCTA AND STA SUPERINTENDENT 2012 saw an old friend return to the Columbia Valley when Marc Lilley signed on to be Copper Point's Superintendent A Kimberley, MARC LILLEY native, Marc has dedicated the majority of his career to golf. At the age of eleven Marc began his journey by working with an entomologist from the University of British Columbia to eradicate pine beetle from over 500 Ponderosa pine trees on and around the Kimberley Golf Club. His interest in golf maintenance, design and construction was heightened in 1980 when the golf club decided to expand to 18 holes and hired Golf Course Architect Norman H. Woods to design and oversee the construction. Marc spent 10 years at the Kimberley Golf Club before going to the University of Victoria and studying Environmental Sciences (1982 – 84). Then Marc earned a diploma in Turfgrass Management Technology from Fairview College in Fairview, Alberta (1984 – 86). In 1987 Marc's professional career began by accepting the Assistant Superintendent's position at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course in Kananaskis Alberta. Three years later Marc was hired to be the Superintendent at the Paradise Canyon Golf & Country Club in Lethbridge Alberta, where he over-saw the construction, grow-in and operations (1990 – 1996). After six years in Lethbridge another opportunity came about to oversee the development of the Silvertip Golf Resort in the Rocky Mountain community of Canmore Alberta where Marc spent 9 years as Superintendent and 2 years as General Manager. Marc also joined Robert Kains Golf Course Design in December 2009 and was responsible for CADD design, construction management and Golf Course Operations Development for many projects. PARTNERSHIP In the last half of June 2012, the Western Canada Turfgrass Association and the Sports Turf Association inked a deal that recognizes the STA as the national body for sports turf managers and sees the WCTA as the conduit for STA members hailing from British Columbia and Alberta. The STA, the Canadian International Affiliate Organization of the USA-based Sports Turf Managers Association and whose mandate is the promotion of better, safer sports turf in Canada, started the discussion about a year earlier in an effort to fill a void that many sportsturf managers across the country were feeling. WCTA President Tab Buckner, a sportsturf manager himself for the Township of Langley in British Columbia, immediately recognized the opportunity to collaborate much like what was already happening on the golf side stating, "[The partnership] is a major step forward in uniting Sports Turf Managers across the country and will undoubtedly have a positive effect on everyone in the industry." "The goals of the STA are similar to those of the WCTA and partnering seems to make a lot more sense than trying to duplicate their services," said WCTA Executive Director Jerry Rousseau. 16 WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION "We're obviously targeting our sportsfield members," added Rousseau, "although golf course people and others might find certain benefits valuable and are welcome to take up a membership." As it stands, anyone from British Columbia or Alberta wanting to join the STA can do so by joining the WCTA first and paying an additional $90 fee which is 50% off of the normal STA membership rate. WCTA members will notice an area for this on their 2013 membership dues to help make the process quick and easy for everyone. Some of the STA membership benefits include: • A network of experts to assist sports turf managers with their turf problems and field related safety; • An online membership directory, invaluable for communicating with professionals in the sports turf industry; • An annual educational conference and field day at reduced registration rates; • Complimentary subscription to the quarterly magazine containing leading research, STA programs and activities, industry information and coming events; • Educational books, brochures and Sports Turf Association executive and members, past and present, together with staff, colleagues, family and friends gathered on October 25 to celebrate the organization's milestone anniversary at a commemorative banquet in Guelph, Ontario. With historical story boards providing a retrospective of the past, both founding President Michael Bladon and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affair's Annette Anderson reflected on the association's beginnings, growth and many accomplishments. Bladon challenged the STA executive "...to continue our commitment and our mission to provide educational and networking opportunities for our members and the promotion of better, safer sports turf to those involved in sports field management and to the general public." "The STA is an organization of volunteers", added Executive Manager Lee Huether, 'From the visionaries of 1987 to the current Board of Directors and everyone in between, other materials at reduced rates; • Subscriber access to the Michigan State University's Turfgrass Information File (TGIF), the most comprehensive publicly available collection of turfgrass educational materials in the world, via the Michael J. Bladon educational link. • Professional development opportunities and, • Liaison with and support of other turf organizations. At the time of writing this article, 2013 WCTA member dues were just starting to come in but according to Rousseau, "We're noticing between one third to one half of our sportsfield and parks people are taking the STA membership," adding, "... and I think that's a good decision on their part." Tab Buckner is enthusiastic and pleased with the program's traction stating, "We've opened the door to many new possibilities and the WCTA will remain firmly planted as the turf industry representative out west." When asked if a focus on the sportsfield sector would result in less attention to the golf side, Rousseau replied, "There's absolutely no reason why we can't do an excellent job catering to the needs of specific sectors within our membership without compromising the others," adding, "We're stronger by working together and individually, none of the sectors are big enough to provide enough resources to make great strides especially if we hope to continue representing the entire turf management profession in Western Canada." STA CELEBRATES 25th the association has grown and benefited from the dedicated service of so many." Paul Gillen, current President, relayed greetings from Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, "Since 1987, the Sports Turf Association has been making a positive difference in the lives of Ontario's athletes providing sports turf managers with the tools they need to help maintain playable sports fields, while maximizing safety…. Take pride in knowing that the important work you do each and every day makes a real difference." About the STA ... Our roots run deep and 2012 marks our quarter-century milestone. For 25 years the Sports Turf Association has been dedicated to the promotion of better, safer sports turf. That commitment continues.