The season is winding down here in Atlantic Canada and for most they are finally breathing a sigh of relief. Play has been up at most, if not all courses and we have been in drought conditions for months. Numerous forest fires were burning across the province but concentrated in the Annapolis Valley. These are not conditions we are used to. Everyone was struggling to get enough water on the turf. We have finally gotten some rain and some relief. 



The Manitoba Golf Superintendents kicked off its 75th anniversary with a cocktail reception on October 24th at Glendale Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg. This is one day shy of the founding date of October 25th, 1950 at Glendale. The evenings master of ceremonies was Rob Officer a long-time member of the association and past board member. Rob shared a brief history of the association and some points of interest from the history books along the way.

John Scott Named 2025 CGSA/Envu Superintendent of the Year

CGSA Member of 51 Years, Graham Shouldice Passes Away

Long time superintendent and CGSA member Mr. Graham Shouldice passed away on October 6, 2025. CGSA board and staff extend their sympathy to his family. 

CGSA Board of Directors Nominations Now Open

The CGSA is now accepting nominations for positions on the CGSA Board of Directors for consideration at the Annual General Meeting in February 2026. The meeting is planned to be an in person event as part of the 2026 Canadian Golf Course Management Conference being held from February 24 - 26, 2026 at The Telus Convention Centre in Calgary, Alberta.   

CGSA Distributes the Results of the 2025 Golf Course Maintenance Department Compensation and Benefits Survey

Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) has released the most recent Canadian Golf Maintenance Department Compensation Study. The Study was conducted in August 2025 by a third-party firm; The Portage Group which is an association consulting group with a specialty in this type of research. This is the second time conducting the survey with this group. The Study encompassed a total of 2,031 maintenance facility employees. 

The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference

Keynote Speaker Announced + Early Bird Pricing Now Available!

CGSA is excited to host The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference in Calgary, Alberta from February 24-26, 2026. The event promises to provide an excellent experience with first rate education, endless networking and outstanding social events. For more information, please click here or visit our event website.

Come and kick off the CGSA's 60th Anniversary with

Deep Roots and Bright Future.

Book Your Trade Show Booth

CGSA is excited to invite you to the 2026 Canadian Golf Course Management Trade Show, Wednesday, February 25 - Canada's largest gathering of golf course management professionals and industry suppliers. This is your chance to connect face-to-face with superintendents, technicians, and golf management teams from across the country. If you supply products or services to the turfgrass industry, you need to be here.

Member Photos

Kevin Moores (left), Superintendent at Oakfield Golf & Country Club and Daniel Suppa (right) from Golf Canada presenting Kevin with his National Tournament plaque during the NextGen Atlantic Championship at Oakfield Golf & Country Club in Oakfield, NS from July 14-17, 2025.

Eric Newnham (left), Superintendent at Rivershore Golf Links and CGSA member Keith Lyall (right), Superintendent at Sun Peaks Resort Golf Course presenting Eric with his National Tournament plaque for hosting the Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO at Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops, BC from June 2-6, 2025.

CGSA Member and Past President, Randy Scott (middle), MS, AGS Emeritus and right is Golf Canada President, Adam Daifallah who presented Randy with his National Tournament plaque for hosting the Canadian Women’s Mid-Am Championship, Presented by BDO from August 6–8, 2025.

Jason Bird (left), Superintendent at Nanaimo Golf Club with Patrick Kelly (right) from Golf Canada who presented Jason with his National Tournament plaque during the Canadian Women's Senior Championship, presented by BDO that took place from August 25-28, 2025. 

Colin Young (left), Director of Golf Course Operations at Beacon Hall Golf Club and Paul McLean (right) from Golf Canada who presented Colin with his National Tournament plaque for hosting the Canadian Collegiate Invitational Women's from September 21-23, 2025.

 Emerson Coulter (4th from the right), AGS, Superintendent of KenWo Golf Club in New Minas, NS who hosted the Canadian Men's Senior Championship, presented by BDO from September 8-12, 2025.

Jason Haines (left), Superintendent at Cabot Cape Breton being presented with his National Tournament plaque from Bob Weeks (right), Senior Reporter and Analyst, TSN during the RBC PGA Scramble National Final at Cabot Cape Breton in Inverness, NS on October 8, 2025

2025 National Tournament Year Wrapped

2025 National Tournament Year Another Success!

Another successful tournament season has wrapped up! The 2025 National Tournament schedule kicked off with our first presentation during the Canadian University/College Championship presented by BDO in June in British Columbia and concluded with our final presentation at the RBC PGA Scramble National Final on October 8th in Cape Breton.

Throughout the summer, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) proudly recognized 26 members for hosting national events across the country. To view member profiles and photos from these events including the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open, please click here.

To read more on the National Tournament program, click here.

CGSA 2025 Award Programs

Nominate or Apply for One of These Great CGSA Awards!

Deadline for Submissions: November 30th, 2025

The CGSA uses a variety of award programs to recognize the achievements of its members in the conduct of their duties as professional golf course managers. the award programs noted below are one of the ways in which the association profiles the work of the golf course professionals. Several of these award programs are sponsored in whole or in part by industry partners and for this we are very appreciative. The support of these companies allows us to provide a tangible component to the recognition these individuals receive as award recipients. You are invited to submit nominations and/or applications for the 2025 award programs. See the links to each award form below:

• John B. Steel Award
• CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement Award
• CGSA/Toro Assistant Superintendent of the Year Award
• CGSA/Prairie Turf Equipment - Equipment Technician of the Year Award
• Gordon Witteveen Award (GreenMaster articles submitted including the Winter Issue)
• CGSA Student Scholarship Awards - New in 2025: The CGSA Board of Directors has approved a total of $7,500 in scholarship funds for the 2025 academic year. For more information, click here.

For more information, click here or contact Lori Micucci.

Canadian Turf Research Foundation to Cease Operations: It is with both pride and a touch of sadness that we reflect on the remarkable journey of the Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation (CTRF) as it prepares to conclude its operations supporting turfgrass research across Canada and the United States. Since its foundation in 1976 by visionary leaders from the Canadian Golf Superintendent Association (CGSA), such as Robert Heron, Robert Trevis, Larry Brown, Ashley LeGeyt, Walter Gooder, and James Wyllie, the CTRF has been a cornerstone in advancing scientific knowledge and best practices in turfgrass management. The CTRF was born from a shared passion by individuals who united for a cause greater than themselves: to fund research that would enhance the quality, sustainability, and safety of turfgrass.

To read the full CTRF statement, click here.

BrettYoung Announces Quebec Expansion: As part of BrettYoung’s strategic initiative to establish a national presence in the Professional Turf and Reclamation industry, we are thrilled to announce our expansion into Quebec, bringing a complete portfolio of products supported by expert on-the-ground sales resources.

We are also pleased to announce James Johnson will be joining the BrettYoung Professional Turf & Reclamation team as Regional Account Manager – Quebec, effective December 1, 2025.

To read the full release from BrettYoung available in both English and French, click here.

TAKE-ALL PATCH: If your golf course has experienced take-all patch disease in areas where creeping bentgrass is grown, researchers need your help! Kieran Molony and Efe Engin, master's students under Dr. Katerina Jordan are studying the disease and its causal pathogens and is looking for superintendents to send in samples from affected areas. Interested? Reach out to learn more! For more information and to participate, click here.

2026 Turf Managers Short Course Registration Now Full: Designed for a wide variety of turf industry professionals including sports turf managers, nursery sod producers, golf course superintendents, residential/commercial turf care professionals and sales or service representatives. For more information and to join the waitlist, click here. 

Golfmax

November Feature Supplier – Rain Bird

Exclusive 1.5% Manufacturer Rebate on Rain Bird Irrigation Products

Rain Bird provides complete irrigation solutions to golf courses across the globe and is proud to be the exclusive irrigation provider in the CGSA in partnership with the NGCOA Canada Golfmax Purchasing Program.

Renewed Partnership = Improved Member Benefit

Building on a relationship that began over 30 years ago, this partnership renewal PAYS YOU with CGSA member EXCLUSIVE MANUFACTURER REBATES of 1.5% on the following Rain Bird products:

Golf Products include the following categories:

• Central Control Systems
• Rotors and Swing Joints
• IC System
• Field Control Systems
• Valves and Valve Boxes
• Pump Stations
• Filters

How to Claim Your Rebate

Members must complete the Rain Bird online rebate claim form and include purchase invoices from a Rain Bird authorized Canadian distributor.

Contact: Erica Beck, Golf Area Manager - Canada 604-818-0683 - ebeck@rainbird.com 

For more information on the Golfmax Program please click HERE. To access our complete Golfmax Supplier Portfolio in English, please click: HERE

November is Financial Literacy Month, a timely opportunity to shine a light on an issue that impacts both personal and workplace well-being. Financial stress remains one of the top contributors to mental health challenges, absenteeism, and reduced productivity among employees. For HR leaders, supporting financial literacy isn’t just about helping employees manage their money; it’s also about promoting overall stability, resilience, and engagement. This month’s newsletter will focus on empowering employees with practical knowledge and tools to make confident financial decisions, reduce money-related stress, and build healthier financial habits for the future.

Ask an Expert: Financial Literacy Webinar: Wednesday, November 12th at 12:00pm EST

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the rising cost of living and struggling to manage your finances, you’re not alone. Recent statistics have found that finances – more even than work, health, and relationships – are the biggest source of stress for most people. Join Kii Health this month to learn practical strategies for budgeting, debt management, and effective saving. Participants will be equipped with knowledge and skills to create a realistic financial plan tailored to their needs, identify and prioritize their expenses, and reduce their debt.

Registration Links:

• English
• French

For more information on Financial Literacy, click here.

Clear Health Benefits Update

Good communication in the workplace ensures employees have the information they need to perform well, builds a positive work environment, and eliminates inefficiencies. Effective communication should accurately convey information while maintaining or improving human relationships. When it comes to talking about mental health and mental illnesses, language is very important.

Please click here for the Language Do’s and Don’ts from our CMHA Not MySelf Today partner program that you may find helpful. We can reduce stigma by being aware of our language and making it more accurate and compassionate.

Here is our “Wellness Wednesday” tip of the week: Feel like you could have said things better? Follow-up to make sure there are no misunderstandings.

VENNGO Winner and November Specials

Congratulations to CGSA member, Martin Aubry the winner of our September Venngo Contest!



Martin has won 2 Cineplex Tickets and now gets to enjoy big savings through Venngo MemberPerks — with discounts on entertainment, shopping, travel, and more!

New Perk Alert

November Specials:

• November Contest
• 202 Perks with a Purpose

Check out the newest MemberPerks and discover even more ways for you and your family to have fun and save this month.



Log in to your MemberPerks account to explore all the latest offers and exclusive deals available this November!