Message from the President - Fall 2021

I hope that this message finds everyone healthy and staying safe.  It has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride depending upon where you are in the Province!

With respect to COVID, the Island and Lower Mainland have seemed stable up to the Eastern Fraser Valley, but East and North have had outbreaks that have no doubt had an impact on player participation and visitors.  That being said, there is optimism out there that indicates that the WCTA Board and Executive Director can start planning for the fall, winter and even next spring.  

With that being said, it is “Full Steam Ahead” with planning for the next year.  We have another WOW series event coming on November 4. The annual conference planning is starting to hit high gear with speakers being confirmed, pre-con seminars being nailed down and you should see delegate registration coming out very shortly.  After the show, we are looking forward to holding a large field day in the Spring/Summer.  

These events are following the successful Pat Dooley Memorial Golf Tournament held on October 8th at Mayfair Lakes.  There were 105 participants from the turf industry and Dooley family and friends.  The proceeds from this event are going toward student scholarships and turfgrass research.  Thank you to the Dooley Family, Stan Kazymerhcyk and Jerry for their work with organization and for all participants and sponsors for making this a success despite the time of year and COVID.  

With the conference coming up fast, we will also be holding the AGM as per normal.  Jerry sent out a couple conference related surveys and your feedback was both appreciated and helpful.  

If you would like to be involved in guiding the WCTA forward, we are always looking for volunteer Directors and Committee Members.  Regardless if you are a long-time member or a new member, from my experience with the Board and members, you will find this a very rewarding venture.  It may seem like a big time commitment but that is not the case.  We hold 4 to 6 meetings per year and from those, you can be as active as you desire.  From experience, I have found that once you become more involved, your interest drivers you further than you first thought.  This is a good thing as it is very rewarding and helps give back to the members / friends within the industry.  

On that note please reach out to Jerry or any Director if you have any questions, concerns or ideas on the upcoming WOW, conference, field day or anything else concerning the association or turf industry.  We are here to help and grow the knowledge of all members and future members.

Gary Bartley, UBC Athletics
WCTA President