Mississauga, ON
The
Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) is pleased to announce Mr. Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, Director of Golf at the Baltusrol Golf Club as the John B. Steel Award recipient for 2018.
The CGSA John B. Steel Award commemorates the CGSA's first President, who was also the first superintendent to be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. This 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. The recipient is presented with an original soap stone carving designed and carved by Bill Fach, retired Master Superintendent at Black Bear Ridge Golf Course in Belleville, Ontario and former CGSA President.
Mark and his wife Janet will receive an “All-Access” registration to
THE CANADIAN
2019 Golf Course Management Conference taking place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta from March 4-7, 2019, 4 nights’ accommodation and transportation costs. He will be presented with the John B. Steel Award at the CGSA Awards Luncheon in Banff on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.
Mark has been a CGSA member since 2007 and the first CGSA member to register for both the annual conference and the Fall Field Day each year. He truly is a dedicated member who was recently recognized as an honourary Canadian during the Fall Field Day at Priddis Greens.
He has served as Director of Golf at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey since 1999. A 39-year GCSAA member, Kuhns first earned certification in 1983, he
is a Past President of GCSAA, serving as President in 2009. Mark hosted the
US Senior Open 1989, Laurel Valley Golf Club, the US Women’s Open, 1992, Oakmont Country Club, the US Open, 1994, Oakmont Country Club. He has also hosted the US Men’s Amateur, 2000, Baltusrol Golf Club, the PGA Championship, 2005, Baltusrol Golf Club, PGA Championship, 2016 and the US Boy’s Junior Amateur, 2018 at Baltusrol Golf Club. Mark has
spoken at The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference as well as several regional or provincial events in Canada. He was also instrumental in the planning and execution of the Inaugural Can Am Cup in 2017.
"Mark Kuhns is one of the most devoted and respected colleagues and mentor to many, not only in the United States but also in Canada. Mark established a Turfgrass Internship Program in 1999. This program not only offers a salary and curriculum, but it also includes onsite housing. It is a benefit to those turfgrass students studying Turfgrass Science and many of these interns are Canadian and have gone on to work at Baltusrol or other high-profile clubs. I had the privilege of calling Mark to inform him of winning this prestigious award and what a better way to call not only a colleague but also a friend, one that we at CGSA call family. Congratulations Mark!”
Kendall Costain, MS, CGSA President
“I am truly honored to receive this most prestigious award from CGSA and all of my Canadian friends. I was absolutely overwhelmed when I received the call from President Costain. It took several hours to sink in that I would be receiving this award. I honestly didn’t see this coming. My association with CGSA started with my board service with GCSAA. I was assigned to participate in the various CGSA functions. I have so many wonderful friends in Canada and I feel so welcome and at home when I am in the great North. Thank you to all for allowing me to be a part of your wonderful association and the opportunity to share experiences with some of my best friends in life.”
Mark Kuhns
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and members of the CGSA, please accept our congratulations to Mark on his selection as the 2018 John B. Steel Distinguished Service Award winner.
Kendall Costain, MS
CGSA President
c: (506) 609-8873
e: kendallcostain@gmail.com
About CGSA:
The CGSA represents golf course superintendents, assistant superintendents, equipment technicians, and others involved in golf course management across Canada. CGSA was founded in 1966 and has over 1,000 members. Its mission is to promote excellence in golf course management and environmental responsibility through the continuing professional development of its members. For more information please visit
www.golfsupers.com
.
