The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) announced Keith Lyall of the Sun Peaks Resort Golf Course in Sun Peaks, B.C. as the CGSA Gordon Witteveen Award winner for 2023.

The Gordon Witteveen Award is presented annually by the CGSA to the superintendent or assistant superintendent who has authored the best article for publication in the CGSA GreenMaster magazine during the past year. Keith’s article entitled “Steps to An Effective Management System”, which was published in the Winter 2023 issue of GreenMaster, was judged by a panel of peers and Keith was unanimously chosen as the winner.

“It was an absolute privilege to be able to reach out to Keith to inform him of his article winning the Gordon Witteveen Award,” said Cameron Kusiek, Chair, Communications and Editorial Committee. “Keith’s article was a great read and discussed a topic quite different compared to what we traditionally read in GreenMaster, which is what we strive for. When I first read the article, I thought that Keith is simply superhuman, being responsible for the entire Sunset Peaks ISO Program. This just goes to show how diverse individuals in our industry are as Keith’s article further illustrates the multi-talents so many have beyond taking care of turf. Congratulation Keith on a very well written article.”

In 2004 Keith was introduced to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001 Environmental Steward. In his article Keith shares steps to an effective management system: (GreenMaster Winter Issue). Keith has been a CGSA member since 2005 and sits on CGSA’s Environment Committee.

Mr. Lyall will be presented with the Gordon Witteveen Award during the Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, February 27 as part of The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference.

MISSISSAUGA, ONT. – The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and Bayer Environmental Science Canada have announced Jim Flett of Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club in Port Carling, Ont. as their Superintendent of the Year for 2022.

The award recognizes a member of the CGSA who has held the position of golf course superintendent for a minimum of five years and who has distinguished her or himself through dedication to the profession, performance as a golf course superintendent and contributions to their profession and their community.

“Jim has made an impression on the Golf Industry. Through his dedication, tremendous support of the association and humble leadership; he helped lead CGSA through very challenging times in the association’s history. What a great ambassador for our industry. It was my distinct pleasure to personally notify Jim and congratulate him on being selected as the CGSA / Bayer Superintendent of the Year.” 

Pierre Vezeau, AGS, CGSA President

Flett has been a CGSA member since 1990 and has held the Accredited Golf Superintendent (AGS) designation since 2007. He was CGSA President in 2017 and is a Past President of the Ontario Golf Superintendent’s Association (OGSA). He has been the Superintendent at Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club since 1992.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M in 1988 after completing the University of Guelph’s Turf Associate Diploma program in 1985. Jim apprenticed under two Canadian superintendent mentors Gordon Witteveen and David Gourlay, both CGSA Superintendent of the Year past winners.

Flett will be recognized during The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference and presented with his award during the Award Luncheon in 2023.

“My involvement in the CGSA has tremendously elevated my career through the professional development opportunities and Canada-wide networking over the years,” said Flett, “I was lucky enough to serve as President of the CGSA in 2017 when Canada celebrated its 150^th Birthday. I always thought it was important to instil the sense of Canadian pride in our association. Most of all golf has been a part of my life since I was a child and over the years, I’ve met so many amazing people I would not have met otherwise.”