61st Annual WCTA Conference – Keynote Line-Up & Finalized Education Program Announced
Release…December 11, 2024
River Rock Casino Resort Feb 11-13, 2025
The WCTA 2025 Organizing Committee is very pleased to announce our finalized education program, including an impressive keynote lineup, for the 61st Annual WCTA Conference and Trade Show taking place February 11-13, 2025 at the River Rock Casino Resort.
Headlining this year’s conference is the prime visionary behind the Vancouver Golf Tour, President and Commissioner, Fraser Mulholland.
A PGA member of Canada since 1992, Fraser has accumulated over 40 years of experience in golf instruction, tournament play and golf course & tournament operations. In this same time, he has become one of the most accomplished professional golfers in BC and in Canada, winning 34 professional tournaments, qualifying for the South African and Australian Opens and twice playing on the PGA Tour.
In total, 21 speakers will deliver ~29 hours of programming including four plenary presenters - three back-to-back-to-back the morning of Wednesday, February 11 and two more the afternoon of Thursday, February 12 (not including the closing act).
WCTA President Stu Carmichael stated, ‘I’m very excited we’re able to offer such a high quality education program including some of the very best in the turf business and we’re tapping into some very high profile local talent.” WCTA Executive Director Jerry Rousseau added, ‘Putting together a world-class education program without breaking the bank is extremely challenging but this year’s line-up really proves it’s possible. Hats-off to our organizing committee for a job well done!”
Wednesday, February 11
Opening keynote – Fraser Mulholland, Commissioner, Vancouver Golf Tour
'Vision, Passion, Desire and Golf'
Plenary #2 – Dr. Trey Rogers, Michigan State University
'Update on 2026 World Cup Preparations'
Plenary #3 – Dr. Josh Friell, Chief Research Scientist, The Toro Company
'What’s Next for Turf’
Thursday, February 12
Plenary #4 – Dr. Sara Stricker, Guelph Turfgrass Institute
'How Turfgrass Supports an Active, Healthy Lifestyle'
Plenary #5 – Dr. Matthew Pringle, Managing Director, USGA
'Sustainability Through Science'
Conference Closing – ‘The Hilarious Stand-Up Comedy of Ivan Decker’
Other confirmed presenters include:
Sun Roesslein, President, SFMA
Pat Finlen, Executive VP, Denehy Club Thinking Partners & GCSAA Past President
Dr. Katie Dodson, Global Technical Manager for Turf & Landscape, Syngenta
Michael Lee, Government Affairs Senior Director, GCSAA
Ross Niewola, Consulting Agronomist West Region, USGA
Nathan Cox, Owner, Desert Green Sod
Mario Lanthier, Crophealth Advising & Research
Tim Baker, Director Product Development & Shelby Banks, Brand Manager, Chervon Group
Hector Velazques, GCSAA Equipment Technician
Sean Tonner, Superintendent, Neskowin Beach Golf Course
Catherine Eiswerth, RF Binnie & Associates
Jason Pick, Executive Director, Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation
Emily Elsliger, Section Head - Surface Water, Ministry of Environment
Brent Husson, Owner, Coastal Irrigation
Delegate registration is underway and as always, everyone from the golf, sportsfield and all turf management disciplines are welcome to attend, from supers, assistants, turf specialists, spray, irrigation and equipment techs and crew leaders to those looking for *CEC/CEU points and everyone in between.
*point applications for BC and AB are in progress
We look forward to seeing you at the River Rock in February!
