Cooler nights and beautiful September days are upon us, along with a few recent rain events have certainly helped the Quebec Superintendents after what was a brutally hot and humid summer. I do not recall a more challenging season in my 28 years in the turf business. Hopefully, the weather will continue to cooperate as we embark upon aeration season.

Good luck to all with their fall agronomic practices as well as with any fall projects that you may have planned. In case you haven’t sampled your soil in awhile, now is the time to get your samples done and off to the lab so that any amendments needed can be applied before the snow flies. Good luck to all with your winter preparations and fingers crossed for a 70’s style winter with plenty of snow and NO ICE!!!

It is that time of year when we see our student workers head back to school and our teams cut down in size for the fall run. We have seen some more consistent weather in the past week to 10 days and the smokey days of summer look to have disappeared (one of the worst on recorded in Sask). Throughout the province a lot of places were seeing timely rain and others in major drought. 

A big thank you to CGSA member Matt Choquette who hosted our Don Campbell Research Tournament at The Legends Golf Club in Warman. The course and property were in immaculate shape for this event. Thank you to all those that sponsored and participated through the 60km/h winds that day.  

CGSA Past President, Ralph Watkins Passes Away:

Long time superintendent in Western Canada Mr. Ralph Watkins passed away on July 21st, 2025. Ralph served as CGSA President in 1989 and worked at several courses throughout his career mainly in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

CGSA board and staff extend their sympathy to his family. His sons, Kerry and Kelly are both active in the industry; Kerry as Superintendent at Calgary Golf & CC and Kelly as an industry supplier now with TerraLink Horticulture (previously Keso Turf).

International Thank a Superintendent Day

Show your support on social media using #ThankASuper

For the fifth year, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA), in conjunction with other global superintendent groups, is recognizing those who are essential to golf’s success with an international “Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day,” encouraging all golfers, those who are in the golf business or anyone who benefits from the game to thank superintendents for their hard work and dedication to the game. “Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Day” 2025 will be celebrated on September 9th. For more information, click here.

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.

Chris Nelson (left), Superintendent at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club presented with his CGSA National Tournament plaque from Cameron Kusiek (right), CGSA Alberta Director and Superintendent at Carnmoney Golf & Country Club for hosting the Rogers Charity Classic, part of the PGA TOUR Champions from August 11-17, 2025.

Jonathan Smith, AGS (left), Golf Course and Property Manager, at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club receiving his CGSA National Tournament plaque from Colin Young (right), CGSA Ontario Director and Director of Golf Course Operations at Beacon Hall Golf Club during the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, conducted by Golf Canada on August 22nd, 2025.

Connor Brown, Assistant Superintendent at Oakville Golf Club pictured on the cover of Turf & Rec, August/September Issue after volunteering at the U.S. Open. For more information click here.

(Left to right) CGSA Past President Jim McGarvey, AGS Emeritus, Derek Sheffield, AGS, Jordan Collins, AAGS and Evan Taylor at the plaque presentation during the Canadian Men's Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO.

Member News

CMAC Magazine recently featured long-time CGSA member Jeff Stauffer. The article titled "Goat Week at Rosedale: Regenerative Thinking in Action" By Chris Serré, Club House Manager, Rosedale Golf Club, writes:

It started, as many worthwhile ideas do, with a conversation. A member casually mentioned that goats were being used for land management at Toronto’s Brickworks, sparking an unexpected journey that brought a herd of goats, and a great deal of curiosity, to Rosedale Golf Club. To read the full article, click here.

CGSA 2025 Award Programs

Nominate or Apply for One of These Great CGSA Awards!

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 deadline dates below. 

November 30th Deadline Dates:

• 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
• CGSA Student Scholarship Awards
• Gordon Witteveen Award (GreenMaster articles submitted including the Winter Issue)

For more information, click here or contact Lori Micucci.

CGSA 2025 Scholarship Donations

Thank you to the following members who generously donated to the CGSA Scholarship fund in 2025, they are:

• Ronald Craig
• Jim Flett, AGS
• Luc Ladouceur
• Eric Newnham

The CGSA Scholars Fund, is designed to support student members of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) who are pursuing education in turfgrass management or related fields. It offers financial assistance to help students become better qualified for current or future roles in the golf course industry. To learn more about eligibility, click here.

Application Form: Click here

Deadline: November 30, 2025

If you would like to donate to the Scholarship fund, please contact Lori Micucci.

Golfmax

BrettYoung Fall Booking Program

BrettYoung is Canada’s largest independent seed company and a recognized leader in wholesale forage and turf, professional turf and reclamation, seed, and crop inputs — serving customers across Canada and around the world. We're passionate about providing the products that help keep your business profitable, backed by deep knowledge and experience you can trust.

Exclusive Offers for CGSA - CGSA Members Saved up to $1,908.88 in 2024!

• Save an additional 2% on qualifying fertilizer products
• Free shipping on orders over $3,000
• Orders are invoiced with a due date of May 31, 2026 (OAC)

Fall Booking Programs

Explore regional offers by clicking below:

• West Canada
• East Canada

Click here for full details on the Fall Booking program and find your local BrettYoung representative.

NGCOA Canada CEO, Jeff Calderwood, Announces Pending Retirement After Remarkable 34-Year Career

With heartfelt congratulations, the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada announces that Jeff Calderwood, our long-standing Chief Executive Officer, has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire, effective December 31, 2025. For more information click here.

NGCOA Canada Announces New CEO: Nathalie Lavallée Takes Over Leadership as Jeff Calderwood Retires

The National Golf Course Owners Association Canada board of directors is pleased to announce that current COO, Nathalie Lavallée, will be promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer upon Jeff Calderwood’s retirement on December 31. For more information click here.

Registration is Open for the 2026 Turf Managers Short Course:

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. At last count, there were less than 10 seats left. For more information and to register click here.

Men's mental health is often referred to as a "silent crisis", with the mental health challenges men face often going unacknowledged and unaddressed. Men's mental health also remains one of the most overlooked and under-discussed areas of workplace well-being. Despite high rates of stress, burnout and even suicide among men, stigma and cultural norms often prevent them from speaking up or seeking support.

This month, we're turning the spotlight on this critical issue, equipping HR leaders with tools to break the silence, foster psychological safe spaces and promote healthier coping strategies among all employees. For more information, click here.

Webinar: September 10th, Men's Mental Health with Expert: Elliot McLarnon, MACP

For more information, click here.

Register Today:

English - click here

French - click here

Exclusive Contest for CGSA Venngo Members!

Want a chance to win 2 Cineplex Tickets? Here’s how:

Not a Venngo Member Yet?

Sign up for Venngo perks by September 30th to be automatically entered into the contest.

Already a Venngo Member?

You’re still eligible! Simply invite a family member to sign up for Venngo and you’ll be entered as well.

Remember: You can share your Venngo discounts with up to 5 family members!

How to Enter:

Scan the QR code or visit cgsa.venngo.com to log in or sign up.

Two CGSA winners will be chosen. Good Luck and Happy Saving!