B.C.G.S.A. - Past Presidents

Warren Blue - 2020 - 2022
Jamie Robb - 2019-2020 Jamie Robb's career in the golf course industry began as a caddy at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, ON in 1992 at the age of 13. By 1996, he had begun working golf course maintenance at The Toronto Golf Club, in Mississauga, ON and a few years later enrolled in the University of Guelph's Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program, majoring in Horticultural Science and Business. Upon graduating in 2002, he completed seasonal stints at TPC Prestancia in Sarasota, Florida, Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Ancaster, ON and The National Golf Club of Canada in Woodbridge, ON. His first management position as Second Assistant Superintendent was at Weston Golf and Country Club in Toronto. After a couple years there, he moved out to British Columbia for the Assistant Superintendent position at Capilano Golf and Country Club. In 2011, Jamie was promoted to Course Superintendent at Capilano and in 2019 moved over to Marine Drive Golf Club. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys spending time with his active family; wife Brianne, son Easton and daughter Paisley. Paul Robertson - 2017-2018 Stephen Kerbrat - 2015-2016 Stephen Kerbrat has been in the golf course industry for 35 years. His career began at the Hirsch Creek Golf Club in Kitimat and he currently holds the position of Greens Superintendent at the Smithers Golf & Country Club. In 2009 Steve was chosen as the Superintendent of the Year by the BCGSA. Steve attended Fairview College and upon completion of his course he worked as an assistant in Wetaskiwin, and Stoney Plain, Alberta. His first superintendent position was at the Last Hill Golf Course in Eckville, Alberta and he became a charter member of the AGSA. Steve moved back to BC to the Smithers Golf and Country Club. After five years he moved to the Prince George Golf Club and for the next six years, only to return to Smithers in 1999. In 1998, Steve, together with Greg Broome, established the Northern Chapter of the BCGSA and held the position of president for four years. Steve has worked directly with the Ministry of Environment throughout the years on various projects. Dean Piller - 2013-2014 Dean Piller has served our profession faithfully on the C.G.S.A. Board of Directors, which culminated in his term of President in 1999 and was chosen as the CGSA Superintendent of the Year in 2010. Over the years Dean has been involved in many aspects of our industry. He is a celebrated author of many articles of various golf-related publications and is the Chair of the VIGSA MS Fundraiser that the Vancouver Island region holds each year to raise funds for MS. Dean has also been an avid spokesperson for our profession on the regional, national and international stage. Dean’s resolve and commitment to the betterment of the industry that we all are a part of has been unparalleled. He has epitomized who we are as professionals so well over the years. Dean is regarded by many a statesman or ambassador of our profession as greens superintendents. Davin Marr- 2011-2012 Davin was born in Sussex, New Brunswick in 1974. His employment in the turf maintenance field began in 1992 at the Sussex Golf and Curling Club, Sussex, New Brunswick. During his 5 year tenure under Bill Armstrong, Bernie Tabor, and Geoff Fuller, his interest in turf maintenance began to grow and led him to the 'slightly' longer golf season of the Okanagan Valley, BC Upon moving to Vernon, BC, Davin met and came to work for Geordie Wakutz at the Hillview Golf Club. Realizing that the golf course had more influence on him than just a place to work to pay the bills, Davin enrolled in the Turf Management program at Fairview College, AB in the fall of 1999. After graduating in April 2001, Davin returned to his assistant superintendent's position at Hillview Golf Club under the guidance of former superintendent Geordie Wakutz, and owner Jim Atmore. Currently Davin is employed as the Superintendent at Hillview Golf Club in Vernon and is the BCGSA Interior Chapter president. Rory Johnstone - 2009-2010 Rory was Superintendent at Qualicum Memorial Golf Course and served as President of the Vancouver Island Golf Superintendents Association. He also spent many years on the Board of the BCGSA and was President from 2009 - 2010. In 2014 Rory was recognized as the BCGSA Superintendent of the Year. Rory retired from the industry in 2018 to spend time travelling with his wife Shirley. Rob Wilke - 2007-2008 Rob was born December 17, 1970 in Calgary, Alberta. He worked at Turner Valley Golf Course in 1989 during the summer while attending the University of Calgary. Because of Rob's growing interest in the golf industry, he then switched from the University of Calgary to the Turfgrass Management Program at Fairview College, Alberta, graduating in 1993. From 1994-2001 Rob worked at the Osoyoos Golf and Country Club as Assistant Superintendent. During his employment at Osoyoos Golf & Country Club he learned the intensity of maintainiing a desert course under the direction of Superintendent Mike Harrison. Presently Rob is the Superintendent at Terrace, B.C. and is the Past President of the Northern Chapter of the BCGSA. Ralph Tromp - 2005-2006 Ralph's extensive horticultural experience began during his high school years. In 1984 he began working on the irrigation system for the expansion of the Cowichan Golf & Country Club and later became a member of the greens crew. In 1987 he became the Superintendent at the March Meadows Golf Course in Honeymoon Bay, B.C. He has been active in the Vancouver Island Superintendents Association and served as President from 1997 through 1998. Ralph sat on the board of the BCGSA as the Island Rep since 2001 and became the President of the association from 2005 to 2006. He continues to remain active as Past President in helping his wife Ginny with the job as Executive Administrator of the BCGSA. Ralph's love of sports has made him active in his community where he has started up a youth community basketball league in addition to becoming involved in coaching and umpiring baseball. He continues to strive to become a golfer and loves being out on the ocean fishing. He is married to his wife Ginny and has a son, Sheldon and a daughter, Melanie. Jeff Bennett - 2003-2004 Jeff Bennett got his start in the golf course industry, working on the grounds under the direction of Craig Lewis at the Kelowna Golf & Country Club. He worked his way up to a lead hand and went on to further his career at Fairview College. Two years later he became the Assistant at Kelowna Golf & Country Club. In 1993 Craig Lewis left his position and went to the Quail Ridge, Jeff followed him and worked as his Assistant and when Craig left Quail, Jeff took over as the Superintendent in 1994. The 36-hole golf course is now known as The Okanagan Golf Club after several ownership changes. Jeff's involvement with the Board of the BCGSA began in 2000 and he became the President of the association from 2004 to 2004. His future plans are to possibly become involved in the WCTA or the CGSA. Some of Jeff's other accomplishments include: Involvement with the construction of a new course from start to finish (The Bear Course) Hosting of "A Day with Jack" (Jack Nicklaus) for the opening of the new course Involvement with the Canadian Junior Golf Championships while at Kelowna Golf & Country Club. Jeff is married to his wife Jill, and has two sons, Griffin and Cooper. He enjoys every sport, especially hockey, golf, football and basketball and is a fanatic fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kelowna Rockets and Cleveland Browns. Dave Sullivan - 2002 Dave "Sulley" was born in 1951 in Campbelton, New Brunswick At age 15 he worked at Restigouche Golf Club, Pro-Shop under the leadership of Scottish Pro, Ken Davidson, from Glasgow, Scotland and the following year with Mr. David Crowley. Dave played junior golf and was a second alternate on New Brunswick Junior Provincial Team. He attended New Brunswick Institute of Technology in Applied Science and graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1975. The courses that Dave has worked at include: Engineers Country, Long Island, New York; Chevy Chase Club, Bethesda, Maryland; Capilano Golf Club in West Vancouver; The Redwoords in Langley, Country Meadows in Richmond, Castlegar Golf Club in the Kootenays and Gorge Vale in Victoria. He became Master Superintendent in 1988 and has held his certification since. In 1990 Dave received the Score Award: Canadian Superintendent of the Year. Dave's involvement with the Board of the BCGSA began in 1999 and he became the President of the association in 2002. Dave has served on the Provincial Horticultural Advisory Committee since 1989 and representing the Turfgrass Industry, has been involved in the formation and curriculum development of Kwantlen University College, Turf Management Program. Dave is a Past President of the WCTA and a past Chairman of the Research Committee, who with Cheryl Cameron (Dawson) was involved with the Turf Research Trials move to UBC from Agassiz, B.C. Dave Gottselig - 2000-2002 Dave "Leftie" was born in New Westminster, BC in 1955. His career in the golf industry started at the Vancouver Golf Club where he worked as a caddy from 1964-1967. From there, he worked on the greens crew at the Williams Lake Golf & Country Club from 1977 to 1980. He became the Assistant Superintendent in Williams Lake from 1981 to 1982. In 1983 Dave became the Superintendent at Seymour Golf & Country Club in North Vancouver. Dave left Seymour in 1991 and became the Superintendent at the Whistler Golf Course where he remains to date. Dave's involvement with the Board of the BCGSA began in 1999 and he became the President of the association from 2000 to 2001. Art Riome - 1998-1999 Art's involvement with the Board of the BCGSA began from it's inception in 1995 and he became the President of the association from 1998 to 1999. Art was Superintendent of Fairview Mountain Golf Course. In 2018 Art was recognized as the BCGSA Superintendent of the Year. Art retired from the industry in 2021. Jim Kay - 1995-1997 Jim's involvement with the Board of the BCGSA began from it's inception in 1995 and he became the President of the association from 1995 to 1997.