Page 10 - GM summer French 2025

u COVER STORY u
The CGSA
Braydon Gilbert, AGS,
The St. Charles maintenance team installing bunker sand beside #9 green after the Ross
Nine Renovation in 2022.
The Gilbert family. From back to front: Bennett,
Braydon, Christin, Lyla, Roslynne, and Esmae.
The CGSA is delighted to welcome Braydon Gilbert, AGS as our 57th
President of the association. Braydon steps into this role with enthusiasm,
optimism and a deep appreciation for the association’s strong financial
position, thanks to the hard work of those who have helped steer the ship.
During his term, he is committed to fostering growth within the industry and
the CGSA through engagement and by delivering great member services.
Braydon started in the turfgrass industry at the youthful age of 15, with a
summer job at the Calgary Golf & Country Club. He returned each summer
during high school and quickly discovered a passion for the job. Loving the
game of golf as well as working outdoors helped with his decision to pursue
the turf profession as a career.
It was in Calgary that Braydon met two key mentors: Kerry Watkins, AGS
and Dean Morrison, MS, AGS, Emeritus who encouraged him to enroll in the
Golf Course Management degree program at Olds College, Alberta. While
studying, Braydon jumped at the opportunity to spend a summer as a seasonal
greenskeeper at St. Andrews Links in St. Andrews, Scotland. After graduating
in 2007, he joined Kerry’s team at St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg,
Manitoba.
Watkins was the golf course Superintendent at St. Charles for 6 years
until he returned to Calgary. During that time, Braydon was greatly influenced
by Kerry, and he gained a lot of knowledge and skills from working with him.
When Kerry departed, Braydon
assumed the role of Superintendent
and has remained there since.
Braydon has been fortunate to
work with many great people over
the years. In addition to Kerry and
Dean, he learned a lot about the turf
industry and golf course maintenance
from Kris ‘Digger’ Bentley. Kris played
a huge role in Braydon’s career
development, even though Braydon
may have driven him nuts while
working with him day to day!
Reflecting on the early days of
his career, Braydon admits he was
overly critical of himself, particularly
when handling challenges. He has
since worked on prioritizing and
managing his day-to-day life to
create balance both professionally
and personally.
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• CGSA • GreenMaster