CGSA Announces Rob Wilke as the 2022 CGSA/RAIN BIRD Environment Achievement Award Recipient

Mississauga, ON - The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and Rain Bird are pleased to announce Rob Wilke, Superintendent from the Skeena Valley Golf & Country Club in Terrace, British Columbia, as the CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement of the Year Award winner for 2022.

The CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement Award recognizes a golf course superintendent member of the CGSA who has distinguished themselves through dedication and contribution to the profession as well to their community. The recipient must complete an environmental project, program or practice on their course and then document the environmental impact this initiative has had at their facility.

Rob’s environmental success includes a trifecta of items that he has led his course to incorporate. The first is starting a compost program on site from materials that are generated there; the compost made on site is then incorporated into a foliar treatment that has fungicidal effects. Secondly, under Rob’s direction the fertilizer program at Skeena Valley has moved to 100% foliar; which helps to eliminate flush growth and aids in nutrient rich soils.  Lastly, Rob oversaw the installation of a new irrigation system and tweaked the wetting agent program which allows for better management of their limited water resources. Skeena Valley has seen an improvement with less disease and healthier turfgrass over the property as a result of these initiatives.

Rob has been in the golf industry since 1989 where he worked at Turner Valley Golf & Country Club, in Alberta then moved onto Osoyoos Golf Club as Assistant and started at Skeena Valley Golf & Country Club in 2001 as Superintendent. He has been a CGSA member since 1993. Rob grew up on a farm and his dad was a doctor. He says, “Perfect recipe to become a turfgrass manager!” He was on the BCGSA Board of Directors for 9 years, being Past President in 2007/2008. He has two daughters Anna and Grace who keep him driving to be better!

 “CGSA is proud to announce Rob as the 2022 CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement Award winner. Rob’s environmental projects have proven to be very successful at Skeena Valley Golf Course. He should be celebrated for these positive environmental initiatives. Thank you and congratulations, Rob."

-       Pierre Vezeau, AGS, CGSA President

“Rain Bird is delighted to congratulate Rob Wilke and his team as the recipient of the 2022 CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement Award. I have had an opportunity at a past event to hear Rob speak on his efforts at his club and the success he was having. It is clear that he is very passionate and excels at environmental sustainability initiatives. This award is very well deserved!”

-       Erica Beck, Golf Area Manager - Canada, Rain Bird International, Inc.

As the CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement of the Year winner, Rob and one of his team members will receive an "All-Access" registration to The Canadian 2023 Golf Course Management Conference February 22-24. Rob will also receive 4 nights' accommodation and transportation costs to Vancouver.