2026 Summer President’s Message
Dear Members of the Western Canadian Turfgrass Association,
As we move fully into the summer season, I am pleased to connect with our more than 700 members across Western Canada—golf superintendents, sports turf managers, researchers, industry partners, landscapers, and educators.
Fun fact, our speaker gifts this year were bottles of Green Spot Irish Whiskey but Dr. John Dempsey (left) is from Ireland so he got some of the good Canadian stuff from WCTA President, Nathan Wade.
Summer is always a demanding and rewarding time in our profession, marked by peak growth, heightened expectations, challenging environments, and restrictive resources, with countless opportunities to demonstrate the skill, dedication, and professionalism that define our industry.
A defining example of the calibre of our membership can be seen on the world stage this summer. WCTA members are supplying sod and turf expertise for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with members playing key roles in the installation and ongoing maintenance of competition surfaces and world‑class training facilities for international soccer teams. As the world watches one of the largest sporting events on the planet, the involvement of our members underscores the technical expertise, professionalism, and global credibility of turf managers from Western Canada. This achievement reflects not only individual excellence, but the collective strength of our association and the standards we uphold.
Supporting research and professional development remains critical to sustaining this level of excellence. This year marks the launch of our inaugural Tourney Fore Turf Research, taking place May 28 at Redwoods Golf Course in Langley, BC. This event represents one of the most direct and meaningful ways the WCTA can generate dedicated funding for turfgrass research in alignment with our strategic mandate. Participation strengthens our ability to invest in science‑based solutions and applied research that directly benefit members and the communities we serve. With Stan Kazymerchyk leading the organizing efforts you can be sure this will be a fun filled and lively affair! I strongly encourage you to save the date and support this important initiative.
Please also mark your calendars for our Fall Turf Field Day in September, hosted at Eagle Lake Turf Farm in Strathmore, Alberta on September 17th, 2026. This flagship professional development event provides hands‑on learning, peer collaboration, and direct engagement with industry expertise. Events like this are fundamental to the strength of our association, reinforcing shared knowledge, professional excellence, and meaningful connection across sectors.
When I reflect on last Summer’s President’s Message, I spoke directly to the challenges of water management in an increasingly restrictive environment. One year later, these challenges are even more relevant and are likely to remain so moving forward. As an association, we must challenge ourselves to be prepared for informed, credible, and evidence‑based discussions with our stakeholders. This includes clearly articulating how and why water is used, the true costs of both use and restriction, and the broader ramifications that water policy decisions can have on turf assets, community services, and economic activity.
These issues are no longer theoretical. Metro-Vancouver has taken the unprecedented step of moving directly to Stage 2 water restrictions this year, a decision with real and negative impacts for many industry members, including those in the lawn care sector. Operations working under approved water management plans will be permitted to utilize potable water in a restricted manner until Stage 4 restrictions are implemented. This is an excellent example of why professional turf managers must be able to account for water use and clearly communicate its purpose and benefit. Demonstrating responsible, planned, and defensible water use is essential to maintaining the assets we manage for community benefit and to protecting the long‑term sustainability of our industry.
As the growing season unfolds, I encourage each of you to invest in your own professional growth—whether through refining operations, participating in WCTA initiatives, or sharing knowledge with peers. Our collective commitment to professionalism, education, and collaboration continues to strengthen both our association and the industry as a whole.
Finally, as the busiest months of the year take hold, I urge you to protect time for personal well‑being and for the people who support you beyond your professional life. Sustained excellence in our field depends on balance, resilience, and perspective—both on and off the turf.
On behalf of the WCTA, thank you for your continued dedication, professionalism, and support. I look forward to connecting with many of you throughout the season and at our upcoming events.
Cheers,
Nathan Wade
President, Western Canadian Turfgrass Association