Page 27 - GM Spring 2023

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Jim is involved in all aspects of the turf, and always wants the best conditions for his golfers.
Fellow Superintendent of the Year recipient Dean Baker and Jim Flett AGS reconnect at a CGSA Fall Field Day.
become a leading tech savvy Superintendent in the industry. I asked Jim what he felt were the biggest changes that he has seen during his 30 years at Muskoka Lakes.
“I witnessed the trend of courses focused on modern architecture, but then to see push back and switch to valuing the traditional, classic old- style architecture and minimalist design. I have seen the economic prosperity boom of the golf industry through the Tiger Woods era, through the economic downturn in 2008, and recent COVID pandemic challenges along with the shrinkage of the labour pool of workers, not just
Thornhill Golf and Country Club and
one of the founding members and past Presidents of the CGSA. “He was a true gentleman and extremely dedicated to the association and the profession of superintendents.” Jim continued, “Dave was the current CGSA Superintendent of the Year winner at that time and his name was mentioned quite frequently by our turf professors at Guelph.”
Upon graduation from the University of Guelph in ‘85, Jim decided to continue to gain as much knowledge as possible to further his career and apprenticed at the Board of Trade Country Club under another
highly respected Superintendent and founding member/past President of the CGSA, Mr. Gordon Witteveen. “I spent 3 summers working under Gord, while attending Texas A&M for my bachelors of science degree in agronomy.” He continued, “Just seeing all the great things Gord has done for our profession and associations, it was such an honour learning from one of the best in the biz.”
Jim is truly an exceptional Superintendent in his own right. With always being on the cutting edge of technology and turf management strategies, Flett has
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