A Comprehensive Guide, Listing To Turfgrass, Golf Management Education
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com
© 2009 London Ontario Golf

Like any other industry reflecting the ebbs and tides of economic fluctuation, the $13 billion Canadian golf industry is not immune to contemporary trends. Concurrently, a myriad of environmental issues make the career of golf superintendent a complex vocation. In fact, economics and the environment are inseparable in the competitive business of golf course operations.

Turfgrass education, then, today takes on more importance than ever before. Simply consider these numbers. Canada’s 2,200 golf courses employ about 100,000 people, and despite the current economic climate, there will most certainly be hundreds more golf courses constructed in coming decades. And, like the construction industry which for years has sounded the alarm over lack of skilled tradespeople, the golf industry will see many of its workers in management positions joining the exodus of retirees.

Thankfully, today’s turfgrass education system is stronger than ever before, both in Canada and the U.S. which combined boast 20,000 golf courses. And with Canada topping the worldwide golf participation rate, educators are keen on strengthening student numbers in order to ensure the domestic golf industry remains alive and well.

The 1,600-member CGSA is certainly doing its part in boosting education opportunities. In 1987, the association established a Master Superintendent Designation program to identify progressive superintendents and to formulate standards in excellence in the golf course management profession. The program was renewed and strengthened in 1994 to require a written examination. As well, the CGSA supports the Accredited Golf Superintendent status, approved by its membership in 2005.

Through the CGSA, education opportunities exist via its Canadian Seminar Series, and its online learning links with Golf WHMIS. Additionally, the CGSA provides links to Canadian colleges and universities offering turfgrass and golf management courses.

The University of Guelph is a leader in turfgrass education and related studies, including landscape architecture. Maurice Nelischer, an associate professor and the director of the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at Guelph, points to environmental issues as an integral part of today’s studies.

“Sustainability or environmental appropriateness is something that the students are certainly recognizing as the thing of the future and probably the near future. They are looking at leading-edge treatment, reduced pesticides, reduced water, naturalization, understanding cultural requirements and how can they move into a more sustainable environmentally sensitive design,” says Nelischer.

Bill 64, banning the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes, has sent a shockwave throughout Ontario since its passing in June 2008. The new restrictions allow golf courses to continue to use pesticides, but only if they comply with new stricter conditions. And across Canada, government legislation is restricting chemical use on greenspace, including golf courses.

The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) has provided leadership in turf management and environmental issues. The RCGA Green Section involves a mandate to develop programs to discover, communicate and promote practices to ensure equilibrium is sustained between maintaining playing conditions and a healthy environment. The Green Section administers funding of golf-related turfgrass and environmental research; collects and disseminates agronomic and environmental information to member clubs and their superintendents; and develops educational programs with other national and provincial golf and turfgrass associations, including the CGSA.

The Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation (CTRF), for example, is a joint effort between the RCGA and its industry partners. The foundation raises funds and supports research which addresses questions facing the Canadian turfgrass industry.

David Davidson, Associate Dean, School of Horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, B.C. says working alongside the environment is perhaps “the biggest cultural issue” facing the Canadian golf industry. He says it’s a cultural phenomenon reflected in Kwantlen’s turfgrass studies.

“We talk at great length about how to create a healthy environment for the turf, and what options we have – a full range, from cultural, to using pesticides and fungicides. We teach how to create growing conditions where the activity of pests are less problematic,” says Davidson.

According to Davidson, the turfgrass programs offered at Kwantlen remain strong. The school plans to add an option in its Diploma program which will allow students to complete a Business degree in four years – two years of turf management, transferred directly into a third year of Business. Davidson says that will benefit both the student, and the golf industry.

“That option is of particular value in the human resource side,” Davidson explains. “We could have students doing two years of horticultural, learning all about growing grass, then two years of human resource management. Then they’ll really be well positioned for moving into the industry.”

In fact, Golf Management courses offering everything from turfgrass management to food and beverage studies are becoming much more commonplace within post secondary learning institutions. In 1989, Selkirk College in Nelson, B.C. was the first to offer an on-campus golf management program. The college was also the first to offer a fully accredited online golf management certificate, designed to address the projected shortfall of trained staff needed to manage and operate Canada’s 2,200 golf clubs.

In the United States, the education system is no different, according to Jack Fry, a professor at Kansas State University’s Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources department. Fry, whose area of expertise is Turfgrass Science, says he advises students to keep an open mind in terms of future employment, simply because today’s golf industry demands diversification amongst its professionals.

“Our program is primarily set up to train students to become golf course superintendents,” Fry explains, “but our graduates are doing any number of things, from selling equipment, to being an assistant PGA professional in a pro shop, working as a general manager. So here you are talking about a Business minor in hotel and restaurant management, and students also take classes in communications.

“Traditionally, the club GM has not come from the superintendent rank,” Fry adds. “They have come from the professional or food service side. But we’re seeing more and more superintendents with interest in clubhouse management and GM positions. And part of that reason is, the superintendent really is managing the biggest budget and the biggest crew at a golf course. So, they do have management skills.”

Today, the golf course superintendent is a multi-tasking professional, deftly juggling the safe use of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides along with human resources and number crunching. We see that diversity in today’s post secondary school education system.

With the golf industry of tomorrow demanding even further diversity, and concurrently baby boomers retiring from the golf industry, the future of the Canadian golf industry really is in the hands of today’s teachers. Continuing education, too, is a must amongst those already employed at golf courses across Canada.

Just the like game of golf, the superintendent profession is one which changes daily.

Sidebar: Online Courses, by Jeffrey Reed

Some of the Canadian- and U.S.-based schools listed, including the University of Guelph, offer online learning opportunities in the field of turfgrass maintenance. Visit the individual web sites for more information.

The CGSA helps provide an online education opportunity. Golf WHMIS is an online Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System training program for everyone who works within the golf industry. CGSA members receive a 33-per-cent discount on group/bulk orders of five or more enrolees. Visit http://golf.virtualwhmis.com.

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) provides a host of online courses for members and non-members. Everything from Applied Turfgrass Physiology, to Weather Topics for Golf Course Management offer education points, and are accessed here

In addition, the Golf Management Institute of Canada (GMIC), which includes CGSA as an industry partner, offers year-round education programs “established specifically for the golf industry,” explains GMIC president Grant Fraser.

At www.golf-management.org, the GMIC continually establishes new partnerships with leading golf businesses, associations, colleges and universities in Canada and around the world. Educational initiatives include curriculum development and continuous upgrading; attracting and retaining the best faculty; training partnerships; marketing and promotion; and research and marketing plan for international expansion.

The two latest GMIC-offered online courses began in January. Food and Beverage Management, and Golf Course Design, were both launched as eight-week courses. The GMIC has attracted over 200 people from 20 countries since its inception in 1999.

“When people think of post secondary opportunities, they think college or university,” says Fraser. “The credibility we have is based on the support we receive from all of the golf associations. Plus, it’s online – the only online program of its kind.”

Sidebar:
Turfgrass Management Studies – U.S., by Jeffrey Reed

The GCSAA web site hosts an extensive list of U.S.-based university turfgrass management programs. The offerings are conveniently listed by state, and by program type. Visit http://www.gcsaa.org/students/CollegeGuideSearch.aspx.

Here are five sample listings of strong programs within U.S.-based universities, each boasting a myriad of turfgrass management-related studies.

The University of Arizona
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 210040
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0040, USA
Tel: 520-621-3237
Fax: 520-621-9799
Contact: Office of Admissions
E-Mail: admissions@arizona.edu
Web Site: www.arizona.edu
Offers Masters of Science degree, options in Turf Management studies, with Marriott Golf Grounds Scholarship awarded annually to an outstanding student enrolled in a Turf Management related program.

Cornell University
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
275 Roberts Hall
Ithaca, New York 14853-5905, USA
Tel: 607-255-2036
Fax: 607-255-9998 or 607-255-0599
Contact: Office of Admissions
E-Mail: als_admissions@cornell.edu
Web Site: www.cals.cornell.edu/
Home of internationally recognized centre for turfgrass information, full lineup of Agricultural Science Education.

Kansas State University
2021 Throckmorton Plant Science Centre
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
Tel: 785-776-6475
Fax: 785-532-6949
Contact: Jack Fry, Ph. D, Turfgrass Professor
E-Mail: jfry@ksu.edu
Web Site: http://www.hfrr.k-state.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx
Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources offers MS and PhD, includes extensive Turfgrass studies.

Michigan State University
MSU Turfgrass Science
108 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1039, USA
Tel: 517-355-2308
Fax: 517-355-6473
Contact: Tom Coon, Director
E-Mail: coontg@msu.edu
Web Site: www.turf.msu.edu/
Offers 2-Year Turfgrass Management Golf Course Program, 2-year Turfgrass Management Sports and Commercial Turf Program, plus 4-year Turfgrass Management Option.

Purdue University
Department of Agronomy, Turf Program
915 West State Street,
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
Tel: 765-494-8039
Fax: 765-494-0544
Contact: Jennifer Biehl, Turf Secretary
E-Mail: biehlj@purdue.edu
Web Site: www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/index.html
Extensive list of Turfgrass studies, supported by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation.

Sidebar: Canadian Course Listings, by Jeffrey Reed

British Columbia

Camosun College
3100 Foul Bay Road
Victoria, B.C. V8P 5J2
Tel: 250-370-4168
Fax: 250-370-3551
Contact: Troy Dunning
E-Mail: dunning@camosun.bc.ca
Web Site: http://camosun.ca/learn/programs/golfing/index.html
Two-year diploma in Golf Management, includes management of facilities, grounds, programs, services and events.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University
School of Horticulture
12666 72nd Avenue
Surrey, British Columbia V3W 2M8
Tel: 604-599-3259
Fax: 604-599-3277
Contact: David Davidson
E-Mail: david.davidson@kwantlen.ca
Web Site: www.kwantlen.ca/horticulture
School of Horticulture offers a Turf Management diploma, also offers BS in Integrated Pest Management.

Selkirk College
10th Street Campus
820 10th Street
Nelson, British Columbia V1L 3C7
Tel: 250-352-6601
Fax: 250-352-3180
Contact: Wayne Schweitzer or Steve Bareham
E-Mail: wschweitzer@selkirk.ca or gcool@selkirk.ca
Web Site: www.selkirk.ca/ht/golf
Golf Club Operations On Line (GCOOL) Certificate program, involves Management Courses-Golf Club Operations.

Alberta

Lethbridge Community College
3000 College Drive South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 1L6
Tel: 403-320-3343
Fax: 403-320-1461
Contact: Rita Halma
E-Mail: r.halma@lethbridgecollege.ab.ca
Web Site: http://www.lethbridgecollege.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=152&Itemid=165
Professional Golf Management program offers a two-year diploma in Business Administration – Professional Golf Management, and a post-diploma certificate in Professional Golf Management.

Grant MacEwan College
P.O. Box 1796
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2P2
Tel: 780-497-5257
Fax: 780-497-5001
Contact: Alan Riley
E-Mail: rileya@macewan.ca
Web Site: http://business.macewan.ca/gmcc/ManagementGolf/home/index.cfm
Offers majors in Professional Golf Management, Golf Operations Management and Professional Golf Management Certificate of Achievement.

NAIT Fairview Campus
P.O. Box 3000
Fairview, Alberta T0H 1L0
Tel: 780-835-6713
Fax: 780-835-6785
Contact: Steve Johnson
E-Mail: sjohnson@nait.ca
Web Site: www.nait.ca
College certificate in Outdoor Power and Equipment/Turf Equipment program, with option to write 4th Year Apprenticeship exam.

Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre
Olds College
4500-50th Street
Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6
Tel: 403-556-8253
Fax: 403-556-4713
Contact: James Ross
E-Mail: jross@oldscollege.ca
Web Site: http://ptrc.oldscollege.ca
Areas of expertise include winter injury, stress-related decline, turfgrass nutrition, salinity, weed control and pesticide reduction issues, plus additional problem areas.

Manitoba

University of Manitoba
188 Extended Education Complex
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2
Tel: 204-474-8016
Fax: 204-474-7661
Contact: Warren Otto
E-Mail: w_otto@umanitoba.ca
Web Site: http://www.umanitoba.ca/extended/mpcp/phc/phc_courses.shtml
Prairie Horticultural Certificate (PHC) Program by Distance Education, includes Turfgrass Production and Management.

Red River College of Applied Arts, Science & Technology
2055 Notre Dame Avenue, FM-69
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0J9
Tel: 204-632-2302
Fax: 204-633-6075
Contact: Rob Officer
E-Mail: rofficer@rrc.mb.ca
Web Site: www.rrc.mb.ca
Thirty-month Diploma, Greenspace Management, including focus on Turfgrass Management.

Ontario

Durham College
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7K4
Tel: 905-721-2000, ext. 2294
Fax: 905-721-3114
Contact: Jim Hopps
E-Mail: jim.hopps@durhamcollege.ca
Web Site: http://www.durhamcollege.ca/EN/discover_your_career/pgm.php
Professional Golf Management – Business Administration Co-op.

Georgian College
One Georgian Drive
Barrie, Ontario L4M 3X9
Tel: 705-728-1968 ext. 1137
Fax: 705-722-5123
Contact: Brad Doey
E-Mail: bdoey@georgianc.on.ca
Web Site: http://www.georgianc.on.ca/academics/programs/program_info.php?moremajor=GOLF
Three-Year Major, Business Administration – Professional Golf Management, includes Turf, Renovation and Construction studies.

Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology
1001 Fanshawe College Boulevard
London, Ontario N5Y 5R6
Tel: 519-452-4289
Fax: 519-4454
Contact: Anne Pearson
E-Mail: agpearson@fanshawec.ca
Web Site: http://www.fanshawec.ca/EN/grm1/default.asp
Golf and Recreational Club Management, Two-year Diploma program, optional Co-op Education program, includes Assistant Facilities and Groundskeeper studies.

Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Avenue
Nepean, Ontario K2G 1V8
Tel: 613-727-4723 ext. 7137
Fax: 613-727-7742
Contact: Norman Hotte
E-Mail: hotten@algonquincollege.com
Web Site: http://extraweb.algonquincollege.com/fulltime_programs/programOverview.aspx?id=0428X01FWO
Horticulture Technician, Two-Year Diploma program, includes turf management.

Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
3199 Lakeshore Boulevard West
Toronto, Ontario M8V 1K8
Tel: 416-675-6622 ext. 3310
Fax: 416-252-8842
Contact: Stephen Bodsworth
E-Mail: steve.bodsworth@humber.ca
Web Site: www.humber.ca
Offers Landscape Technician Co-op – Diploma, School of Applied Technology, as well as Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship Certificate.

Kemptville College, University of Guelph
830 Prescott Street
Kemptville, Ontario K0G 1J0
Tel: 800-585-1784 ext. 619
Fax: 613-258-8478
Contact: Maureen Venables
E-Mail: mvenables@kemptvillec.uoguelph.ca
Web Site: http://www.kemptvillec.uoguelph.ca/
Associate Diploma in Horticulture, with Turf Management course offering development of understanding of the management of turfgrass as it relates to use, quality and environmental stewardship.

Lambton College
1457 London Road
Sarnia, Ontario N7T 7K4
Tel: 519-542-7751 ext. 3245
Fax: 519-541-2418
Contact: Dave Chamberlain
E-Mail: dave.chamberlain@lambton.on.ca
Web Site: www.lambton.on.ca
Horticulture Apprenticeship, Basic and Advanced studies, including Turf Management studies.

Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture
P.O. Box 150
Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 6T2
Tel: 905-356-8554 ext. 225
Fax: 905-356-5488
Contact: James Smith
E-Mail: jsmith@niagaraparks.com
Web Site: www.schoolofhorticulture.com
Industry Accredited as the first Canadian college to receive the equivalency of a 4-year Bachelor Degree status by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET).

Ridgetown College
120 Main Street East
Ridgetown, Ontario N0P 2C0
Tel: 519-674-1605
Fax: 519-674-1600
Contact: Darren Robinson
E-Mail: drobinso@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
Web Site: www.ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
Two-Year Horticulture Diploma, and Environmental Management Diploma, with third-year optional Agricultural Diploma.

University of Guelph
Office of Open Learning
Room 160 Johnston Hall
Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
Tel: 519-824-4120 ext. 53400
Fax: 519-824-1112
Contact: Steve Fleischauer
E-Mail: sfleisch@open.uoguelph.ca
Web Site: www.uoguelph.ca
Graduate, Four-Year, Two-Year and other options in Turfgrass Management.

Seneca College
13990 Dufferin Street North
King City, Ontario L7B 1B3
Tel: 905-833-3333 ext. 5088
Fax: 905-833-2085
Contact: Mike VanBeek
E-Mail: mike.vanbeek@senacac.on.ca
Web Site: www.senacac.on.ca
Two-year Environmental Landscape Management program, includes Turfgrass Management.

Sir Sanford Fleming College
Haliburton Campus
297 College Drive
P.O. Box 839
Haliburton, Ontario K0M 1S0
Tel: 705-457-1680 ext. 6709
Fax: 705-457-2255
Contact: Ted Brandon
E-Mail: tbrandon@flemingc.on.ca
Web Site: www.flemingc.on.ca
Horticultural Technician Apprentice, Basic and Advanced, includes Turf Management.

St. Clair College
2000 Talbot Road West
Windsor, Ontario N9A 6S4
Tel: 519-972-2727 ext. 4457
Fax: 519-972-2743
Contact: Donald Tellier
E-Mail: dtellier@stclairc.on.ca
Web Site: www.stclaircollege.ca
Business Administration – Professional Golf Management, includes Facilities Superintendents studies.

Quebec

Institut de Technologie Agroalimentaire
3230 Rue Sicotte
St. Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 7B3
Tel: 450-778-6504 ext. 299
Fax: 450-778-4967
Contact: Michelle Guay
E-Mail: ita.st.hyacinthe@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
Web Site: www.ita.qc.ca
Two- and Four-Year Programs, plus other options.

Laval University
Horticulture Research Centre
Faculty of Agriculture and Food
Envirotron Building
Quebec City, Quebec G1K 7P4
Tel: 418-656-2131 ext. 2359
Fax: 418-656-3515
Contact: Dr. Yves Dejardins
E-Mail: yves.desjardins@plg.ulaval.ca
Web Site: www.crh.ulaval.ca
Horticulture Research Centre, offers Graduate Program, Four-Year studies plus options.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Agricultural College
Box 550
Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 5E3
Tel: 902-893-6685
Fax: 902-893-1404
Contact: Bob Daniels
E-Mail: rdaniels@nsac.ca
Web Site: www.nsac.ca
Two- and Four-Year Programs with options.

Post-Secondary Golf Industry-Related Programs in Canada

Fanshawe College of Applied Arts and Technology offers a Golf and Recreational Club Management program – the only course of its type in Ontario. Visit http://www.fanshawec.ca/EN/grm1/default.asp to learn more about this two-year program.

Here is a complete list of golf programs offered across Canada:

GOLF MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

British Columbia
Camosun College, Victoria http://camosun.ca/learn/programs/golfing/index.html
Selkirk College, Nelson http://selkirk.ca/programs/ht/golf/

Alberta
Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton http://business.macewan.ca/gmcc/ManagementGolf/home/index.cfm
Lethbridge Community College, Lethbridge http://www.lethbridgecollege.ab.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=152&Itemid=165
Olds College, Olds http://www.oldscollege.ca/programs/BAppSc_Horticulture/golf.htm

Ontario
Durham College, Oshawa http://www.durhamcollege.ca/EN/discover_your_career/pgm.php
Georgian College, Orillia http://www.georgianc.on.ca/academics/programs/program_info.php?major=GOLF
Golf Management Institute, Oakville http://www.golf-management.org/
Humber Institute of Technology, Toronto http://postsecondary.humber.ca/20231.htm
Niagara College, Niagara-on-the-Lake http://www.niagaracollege.ca/programs/bapgm_0450/
St. Clair College, Chatham http://www.stclaircollege.ca/programs/postsec/busadmin_golf/index.html

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROGRAMS

British Columbia
University of British Columbia, Vancouver http://www.sala.ubc.ca/programs/landscape-architecture

Alberta
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton http://www.nait.ca/40130.htm
University of Calgary, Calgary http://www.ucalgary.ca/

Manitoba
University of Manitoba http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/architecture/programs/landarchitecture/

Ontario
University of Guelph http://www.uoguelph.ca/sedrd/LA/
University of Toronto http://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/courses/master_landscape_architecture/1289

Quebec
University of Montreal, Montreal http://www.apa.umontreal.ca/eng/index_en.htm

TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

British Columbia
Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey http://www.kwantlen.ca/home.html
Selkirk College, Nelson http://selkirk.ca/

Alberta
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Fairview http://www.nait.ca/
Olds College, Olds http://www.oldscollege.ca/programs/Turfgrass/index.htm
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary http://www.sait.ca/pages/feature1.shtml

Saskatchewan
First Nations University of Canada, Regina http://www.firstnationsuniversity.ca/default.aspx

Manitoba
Red River Community College, Winnipeg http://me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/CourseDescriptions.aspx?ProgCode=GREMF-DP&RegionCode=WPG
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg http://www.umanitoba.ca/extended/mpcp/phc/phc_courses.shtml

Ontario
Alfred College, Alfred http://www.alfredc.uoguelph.ca/
Algonquin College, Ottawa www.algonquincollege.com
Humber Institute of Technology, Toronto www.humber.ca
Lambton College, Sarnia www.lambton.on.ca
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture, Niagara Falls http://www.niagaraparks.com/horticulture/school.php
Ridgetown College, Ridgetown www.ridgetownc.on.ca
Seneca College, King City http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/EVLC.html
Sir Sanford Fleming College, Haliburton www.flemingc.on.ca
St. Clair College, Windsor www.stclaircollege.ca
University of Guelph, Guelph http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/future/diplomas/turfgrass-management.cfm

Quebec
Institut de Technologie Agroalimentaire, St-Hyacinthe http://www.ita.qc.ca/Fr/ITA/
Université Laval, Quebec City www.ulaval.ca

Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro http://www.nsac.ns.ca/