Kwantlen Turfgrass Campus News

From Stan Kazymerchyk, Turf Management Program Instructor

This was originally to be another report about Kwantlen Turfgrass student activities, but reviewing Steve Broccolo’s biography got me detoured.  Reading about Steve’s life emphasized for me the real strength our profession.

Steve shares with us his early love for the game of golf, his positive experiences in turf care and continually remembers the people instrumental in his career. The intrigue of turfgrass management grew with every step of his career, as new mentors and new responsibilities fostered Steve’s career development. He concludes by assessing his present status and recognizing his intermediate and ultimately long term goals, all based on  genuine excitement for his profession.

Turfgrass management is about much more than a spectacular office, a love for our sport and continual dedication to perfection. Steve’s career epitomizes how ‘straight up’ the people of turf are: Mentors who guide and care about our career;  Peers who openly share, play, laugh and talk game with us; Dealers who are genuine friends; Turfgrass managers from other disciplines who talk and understand our language;

Thank you all!

Stan Kazymerchyk Kwantlen Turfgrass Management Instructor

Steve Broccolo, left, stands with Pagoda Ridge Superintendent Reed Grosart

Hi, my name is Steve Broccolo.  I am from Swift Current and after high school spent some time moving around Saskatchewan before moving to B.C.  I was introduced to golf when I was 10 years old, where I instantly fell in love with the game. As a teenager I played at Chinook and Elmwood golf courses in Swift Current. In grade 12, I had my first experience working on a golf course,  with Doug Levins at Chinook. After high school I worked for a summer with Richard Berg at Elmwood golf club, followed with a position at Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon working for Doug Campbell. In the summer of 2006 I moved out to Langley.  I was amazed with the mountain views and how much better the weather was compared to the prairies. I was very excited I could golf all year round!  When I moved to B.C I worked for Reed Grosart at Sandpiper Golf Club. After working a few seasons with Reed, I was intrigued by what it takes to maintain a golf course. I wanted to learn more and knew the only way to move up in the industry was to go to school.  Since Kwantlen was in my area, I decided to apply and get my diploma in Turfgrass Management. I am almost finished my diploma. In 2011, I obtained a job with Dave Fair at Northview Golf and Country Club. In my second season at Northview, I was promoted to Spray Tech/Foreman. I love the variety of tasks and responsibilities, the people I encounter on the golf courses and getting to mix my hobby with my profession.  I didn’t know it took so much to maintain a golf course.  It’s truly and mixture of art and science. At Northview I operate the Cirrus Irrigation Control System but would also like to  experience  other irrigation systems. Gaining more spray and Foreman experience would also be an asset to completing my overall skill set in turfgrass management.

It is very important to me to have the knowledge, experience, confidence and understanding before I move forward with my career. These components will help me move onto larger Canadian, American and international courses. Eventually, I would like to travel the world and work on golf courses. I look forward to an exciting career in the golf course industry.