Page 6 - GM spring 2024

u PRESIDENT’S VIEWPOINT u DUSTIN ZDAN, AGS
Use Your Resources
When I was very early in my Turf career
at St. Charles Country Club, my first superintendent Curtis Collins over- loaded me with reading material. The reading material may be slightly different these days with so much available on the internet, but the message is still the same. That message to me, and one I continue to use to this day, is use your resources.
Along with those copies of GreenMaster came another message from him, if you want to be a part of this industry you need to be a member of our association. That association was the CGSA, and it was my introduction to becoming a member. I believe being a part of your association provides more resources for the Superintendent. I can say, as a matter of fact, that the focus for the CGSA has always been what can we do to help our members be the best they can be.
I was both fortunate and maybe a bit unfortunate that my journey in this profession took me to the beautiful Yukon, where I cut my teeth as Superintendent at Mountain View Golf Club in Whitehorse. On the fortunate side, we loved our time in Whitehorse and the uniqueness of the Last Frontier. The Land of the Midnight Sun is where our daughters were born and so many adventures were had with friends and family.
The unfortunate side is you were North of 60! Only one airline flew into Whitehorse in our early years up there, and the cost was out of reach for a new family. Our drive out, which we did each winter, was 23 hours to Edmonton and we were not from there going to both Winnipeg and Victoria on many trips. We were isolated, and I was isolated as a Superintendent. I did not have that neighbour down the road to have lunch with, share equipment or ideas. You were on your own, heck cell phones did not even work in most areas. I really valued the communications I received.
The GreenMaster, and at that time the GreenMatter insert of what was happening across the country were so important to me. I was still part of my national association and that gave me a sense of belonging. I remember when the first fertilizer rep was going to come for a visit, David Gates was his name, no one had made their way north to see me during the season. More came but very infrequent, it was a long way to go. The years in Whitehorse proved to me how important those resources were. Attending the national conference was my one in person event and I can tell you I never missed a session.
Dustin Zdan, AGS
CGSA PRESIDENT PRÉSIDENT DE L’ACSG
Board of Directors | 2023-2024
Dustin Zdan, AGS, President Blackhawk Golf Club, AB dustin@playblackhawk.com
Pierre Vezeau, AGS, Past President Cooke Municipal Golf Course, SK pvezeau@citypa.com
John McLinden, AGS, Vice President Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto, ON john.mclinden@ladiesgolfclub.com
Braydon Gilbert, AGS, Secretary Treasurer and Manitoba Director St. Charles Country Club, MB braydon.gilbert@stcharlescountryclub.ca
Cameron Kusiek, Alberta Director Carnmoney Golf Club, AB cameronk@carnmoney.com
Matthew Blackburn, Atlantic Director Chester Golf Club, NS matt-blackburn@hotmail.com
T-Jay Creamer, AGS, British Columbia Director Olympic View Golf Club, BC tcreamer@golfbc.com
Jordan Kitchen, AGS, Ontario Director Hamilton Golf and Country Club, ON jkitchen@hgcc.ca
Luc Ladoceur, Quebec Director Le Club Laval-sur-le-Lac, QC terrain@clsll.ca
Tyler McComas, Saskatchewan Director The Willows Club, SK tmccomas85@gmail.com
6 • CGSA • GreenMaster