Page 20 - GreenMaster Winter 2023

uFEATUREuERIC RUHS, 2023 CGSA/ENVU SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR WINNER
THIS AWARD
IS EXCLUSIVELY FUNDED BY
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A PLATINUM SPONSOR OF THE CGSA.
a good
Ace enjoys a cart ride with Eric.
John Scott, AGS, CGSA Past President (right) presents Eric (left)
with his National Tournament Plaque during the August 2022 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open (CPWO) LPGA event at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.
We are pleased to announce that Eric Ruhs, Superintendent at The Ottawa
Hunt and Golf Club, is the 2023 CGSA/Envu Superintendent of the Year winner. Eric’s award was recently announced during the Fall Field Day awards dinner at Beacon Hall Golf Club, Ontario.
Eric is well-known as one of the top superintendents in Canada. He has hosted 4 major LPGA events with the most recent in 2022, the CP Women’s Open, where it was voted the best event on the LPGA tour that year! He made our country proud, especially after a tornado ripped through the property and took down over 1,100 trees just months prior to the Open. Eric and his crew, along with volunteers, were able to bring the course back to play under championship conditions.
Eric started out as a caddy at Rideau View Golf and Country Club in 1977, then worked for the maintenance department at Manderley Golf Club in 1979. He graduated from the top of Class 85A at the University of Guelph in 1985 and began his career at The Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club in 1984, becoming Superintendent in 1987. He says it was the love of the outdoors, satisfaction of accomplishments and the great camaraderie that drew him in the business. He has been an active member of the OVTA (Ottawa Valley Turfgrass Association), to which he also served as president. His name and voice are well heard in advocating for turf research and environmental stewardship.
When asked who Eric’s mentors were, he noted “Dave Garland and Doug Rothwell. I was very young when I assumed the role of head superintendent and both said, ‘you can do this’”.
When asked what the one thing is he would tell someone who is thinking about entering this industry or who is newly involved in the industry Eric replied, “It is a fabulous industry, very rewarding and you get out what you put in – it IS hard work!”
In the numerous references and personal letters that were submitted with his nomination package they all said he is extremely hard working, calm, respectful, loyal, a dedicated family man and a great friend.
20 • CGSA • GreenMaster