The Ontario Golf Superintendents Association leads the development of province best management practices using tool from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

Lawrence, Kan. (Feb. 13, 2024) – The work of the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association (OGSA), an affiliated chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has resulted in the publication of “Best Management Practices Ontario Golf Courses”.

As part of GCSAA’s BMP initiative, statewide BMPs have been established in all 50 U.S. states, and the publication of the Ontario guidelines marks the first instance of a province adopting GCSAA’s BMPs in Canada. The BMPs outline golf course maintenance practices that protect and enhance the environment and are tailored to the province’s unique geographic conditions and regulatory climate.

The Ontario BMPs were developed in part by using the BMP Planning Guide and Template created by GCSAA. The BMPs provide guidance for Ontario golf course maintenance professionals in 12 key areas including irrigation, water quality monitoring and management, nutrient management and pollinator protection. In addition, member facilities in Ontario now have the ability to log into the GCSAA facility BMP guide and customize a facility BMP manual.

“The development of all 50 state BMPs was a watershed moment in the U.S. golf industry as the documents allowed us to demonstrate to regulators, lawmakers and communities that superintendents are dedicated environmental stewards,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “We are proud of our members in Ontario for expanding the initiative to Canada.”

The members of the Ontario BMP Steering Committee include Chairman Al Schwemler, retired superintendent in Trenton, Ont.; Kevin Collier, superintendent at RiverBend Golf Club in London, Ont.; Brad Hutchinson, superintendent at Warkworth (Ont.) Golf Course.; Paul Snider, superintendent at Blue Mountain Golf and Country Club in Collingwood, Ont.; Vito Cirone, senior vice president at R.J. Burnside and Associates Limited in Pickering, Ont.; Kevin Doyle, GCSAA Northeast regional field representative; and  Courtney White, executive manager, OGSA.

“As a GCSAA chapter, the OGSA is excited to be the first province in Canada to develop and produce provincial BMP guidelines,” Ian McQueen, president of the OGSA said. “This initiative is critical to our industry, and it now provides all Ontario golf course superintendents with the tools required to demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability and the health of the game. It is a clear indication to legislators and the community that golf course superintendents are environmental stewards.”

To read “Best Management Practices Ontario Golf Courses” and to learn more about GCSAA’s BMP program, visit www.gcsaa.org/bmp.