Day 3 at CITC 2013- All For One

The schedule for day three of the conference was packed with education lessons, social hours and trade show opportunities, but it started off with an act of international diplomacy.

Curtis Tyrrell, director of golf course operations at Medinah Country Club, talked about the process of preparing his course for the 2012 Ryder Cup. He shared great stories about the infamous European team comeback, dubbed the "Miracle at Medinah" and how both teams, although competitive, were eager to learn from each other and from Tyrrell. 

Tyrrell also talked about his experience with redoing greens, fairways, tree removal and relocation and many other monumental tasks he and his team had to accomplish in the five year lead up to the event. He shared techniques, challenges, solutions and lessons learned with his counterparts to the north. His willingness and excitement to tell others in the industry how to improve and grow shows the amazing sense of unity that always exists among golf course management professionals and unveils itself on a grand scale at this conference. 

The unity that is aimed for and achieved is one of the truly great elements of the CGSA and its members from coast to coast. From the conversation on the trade show floor to the hearty laughter of the annual banquet and even the rapid sharing of information on social media, it is evident that every single member is dedicated to building up the industry and understands that this can only be done by joining together.

Brian Youell, CGSA's 2012 Superintendent of the Year, said in his presentation "We all have a story to tell, we just need to learn how to package it together to say it powerfully." We are powerful together and we have shown that this week at the CITC. We have shown that raising our voices together is crucial to making an impact (unless it was at the silent auction; the key word being silent).

At the end of the day we have shown that if we all stand together, we all reap the rewards, which is a healthy industry, an innovative industry and definitely a fulfilling industry. 

A big thank you to all the people who made bringing everyone together at the conference and trade show possible. Thank you to the board members, committee members, staff, vendors, speakers and especially CGSA members. Without all of you, none of the learning, sharing, support or fun would have happened. 

Day 2 of CITC 2013- Full Steam Ahead

Something sprang up today at CITC 2013. It was something refreshing. It was something to keep the CGSA and its members current and further establish them as leaders in the industry. 

That something was renewal.

Leave it to golf course management professionals to make something grow even in the dead of winter. 

The day started off with the CGSA Annual General Meeting where a new mission statement, a new communications plan and new board members were introduced. The Association welcomed a new president and looked forward to a new year ahead with optimism and a promise to keep on supporting and promoting golf course management professionals across the country.

Sean Foley's keynote address and the Business of Golf panel discussion renewed discussion on how we think about the game of golf and how to make the courses the sport is played on the best in the world. Those talks renewed the sharing of ideas and techniques amongst members in areas like the environment, growing the game and communication.

The trade show gave members the opportunity to revive relationships with exhibitors and explore the latest and greatest technology on the market.

Finally, the Monday Night Party at Steam Whistle Brewery brought together friends, old and new, for a night to relax, have fun and maybe even have a sample or two of the local beer. 

Renewal is important because without it nothing can grow. The CGSA and its members showed today that they are constantly growing by learning, improving and communicating. And that is why the Association and its members are ready to go full steam ahead into a future full of challenges, but also full of optimism.      

Day 1 of CITC 2013- No Pomp, Just Passion

It was the opening ceremonies, but there were no flags waving. A few flashbulbs went off, but not a gigantic stadium full of them. There were no famous musical performers, global TV audiences or fireworks and intricate dance numbers.

No, the opening ceremonies for the Canadian International Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show did not hold the pomp of an Olympic kick-off or a royal wedding, but it did have something more special, something more important.

It had passion.

To hear Tim Kubash and Jim Flett talk about their dedication to the CGSA and their encouragement for others to not only participate, but really get involved lit a spark in me. I was ready to get to those seminars and learn all I could.

And this passion kept up right on through the day.

From the speakers, who all talked so excitedly about their research and areas of expertise, to the discussions around the lunch table about which methods of spring start up were best and what new technique to use, it was clear that everyone had arrived ready to show their dedication to their jobs and ensure a healthy, vibrant industry.

But nowhere was this passion more evident than during the awards portion of the lunch. Who would not be inspired by Brian Youell, Superintendent of the Year, and his story of mentorship, dedication, talent and overcoming some high hurdles to achieve some monumental successes.

Who could deny that the story of Gordon Witteveen, a founder of GreenMaster Magazine, a man who shaped so many people and careers, a true trailblazer and now a Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member, gave them some great motivation to get back to their clubs and make them great?

One by one, great members of the CGSA, from John B. Steele winner Pelino Scenna to Environmental Award winner Robin Sadler and every other award winner, scholarship receiver and newly certified member, showed the kind of passion that all our members have and how that dedication to their craft can change things for the better.

Of course the passion of CGSA members can also be measured by the hearty back slaps and plentiful conversation at the President's reception and the abundant questions asked at seminars.

I really saw today what it means to be a member of the CGSA. It means smiles and a hunger for learning. It means good-natured joking and educational and entertaining seminars. It means honoring those who have changed this industry for the better and looking forward to those who will keep on changing it. But above all, it means a passion.