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David Duncan, Past President

• Industry and Golf Industry Liaison
• Currently the Past President

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I was born in Seattle Washington but raised in Langley B.C. I began my horticulture career working the summers for the Township of Langley Parks Department while attending high school and university.

1988 was a big year for me; I graduated from the University of Victoria, got married to my wife Christine and started my tenure with the Langley School District Grounds Department.

In the late 90’s I decided if I wanted to expand my career horizon I would need a formal education in horticulture. So I enrolled at Kwantlen University College on both part-time and full-time basis until I graduated in 2002 with a diploma in Horticulture-Turfgrass Management.

In the spring of 2006 I returned to the Township of Langley. I accepted an exempt position in the Engineering Division – Operations Roads and Drainage Department as a Roads Supervisor. You are now probably wondering how does a Roads Supervisor have anything to do with horticulture? I manage the Township’s greenways and boulevards, which includes; landscaping, turf management, arboriculture, irrigation, sidewalks, street sweeping and the cleanliness of the community.

In the spring of 2008 I was promoted from the Township Engineering Division to the Recreation, Culture and Parks Division as the Manager of Parks Operations and Cemetery Services.

I am pleased to be able to serve the WCTA membership as vice president. I look forward to working with the board and help direct this organization towards a bright future.

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Brett Finlayson - Lower Mainland - Golf

I started out at an early age of 14 working for my father’s landscaping company to earn some extra money to buy a car. At around the same time I became involved with golf and began to gain a great deal of passion not only for the game, but the work that is put into maintaining a golf course. I started out my golf maintenance career working with Frank Vargas at Point Grey Golf and Country Club. This is where I really became enthused with the industry and decided this was for me. In 2003, we hosted the LPGA Canadian Women’s Open, what an incredible experience watching some of the world’s best women golfers play the course you have maintained. In 2004 I was then hired by Dennis Pellrene at Capilano Golf and Country Club as their Environmental Manager. Part of my role there was assist in the process of becoming Audubon certified and we achieved this in 2006. After Pellrene’s retirement, new Course Superintendent, Adam Zubek, promoted me to the 2nd Assistant Superintendent position in 2007. In 2008 I moved over to Quilchena Golf and Country Club as the Assistant Superintendent, first working with Gary Bartley and now Jason Hooper. I have been part of an extensive renovations project including new irrigation, drainage and reshaping. With the majority of the large projects out of the way here at Quilchena, I can now focus on giving back to the Turf Community. I have long term goals of making our industry more united and increase communication amongst its members. Along with golf being one of my interests, I am also involved in softball, beach volleyball and snowboarding.

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Brett Lamontagne - Vancouver Island - Golf

My name is Brett Lamontagne. I have been in the golf industry for twenty-eight years throughout Western Canada. The last twenty three years I have worked on Vancouver Island. Currently I am self-employed landscape and golf course consultant in Nanaimo. The name of my new company is Mid Island Landscape Consulting Inc I am very excited about the new career direction.

The WCTA has given me now it is time for me to give back. Our industry is in a state of flux right now. I feel that I have something to give back to the Association that will be helpful. I have served all the positions with the VIGSA and feel that, if they want me, I would like to serve on the WCTA board

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Keith Lyall, Director

My name is Keith Lyall, Golf Course Superintendent at Sun Peaks Resort.
Originally from Kamloops, I have been in the landscape/golf maintenance industries virtually since I was old enough to push a mower. Working at Sun Peaks has allowed me to continue my education in the golf/tourism industry and learn from a wide range of professionals. Being the only resort in Canada, certified under the ISO 14001 Environmental Standard, and as the Lead Auditor for our Environmental Management System, I am very aware of the current issues and legal requirements we all face. Sun Peaks also has one of the most proactive health and safety committees, where I sit as the Employers Representative. With over 500 employees in a high risk occupation, we are one of a few resorts to actually lower our WCB rates.

I have sat on the WCTA Board of Directors for the last two years. I have held the portfolios of Government Liaison, Landscape, Research and Professional Development. I have been instrumental in getting Worksafe BC courses added in our CEC program. I am actively working on government legislation in regards to environmental and safety issues. I have also acquired a massive inventory of information, including pesticides, risk management, health and safety and other best management practices.

If re-elected I would like to spend the next two years assisting in my current portfolios and pushing for better accesses to information through the WCTA and other allied association’s websites.

My hope is to continue to serve the WCTA for at least the next two years, and perhaps one day, run for President.

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Jason Pick - Alberta - Golf

I am currently professor of Golf Course Management and Turfgrass Science at Olds College,  and former Class “A” superintendent since 2000.  My golf course management education includes BASc.from Olds College, Diploma in turf from Guelph University, and ongoing Masters at Penn State.  I have experience from seven golf courses across Canada and overseas, and am an active member of the WCTA, GCSAA, and CGSA, with published works in national & international GCM publications.  Environmental achievements include Audubon certification, recertification, and development of “Environmental management program for golf courses” at Olds College.

Why I’d like to contribute - As a contributor to the association board, I share a unique insight into todays students and tomorrows members.  We share the goal of educating students and superintendents in the importance of values, ethics, and association support, while sharing new skills necessary to succeed in our rapidly changing environment.  I look forward to sharing a vision of advancement in the competencies of our superintendents and graduates, further distinguishing the association in Western Canada.  Olds College strongly supports my service commitment to the WCTA, with the PTRC on campus, and our local turf advisory committee, Olds College provides me the resources and flexibility to manage a successful portfolio.

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Mike Schellenberg - Alberta - Parks

My name is Mike Schellenberg and I am currently the Sports Field Technician for The Calgary Board of Education.  I have been involved in the golf course industry for the past 12 years and this past year made the move to a new yet related field of employment.  Although still missing the golf course sector from time to time, I believe this new opportunity will only allow me to continue to expand and develop on what I believe to be a successful career thus far.  I was fortunate recently to attend the Sports Turf Managers Association Conference in Austin, Texas and was blown away by the support and development offered by the STMA to its members and students in sports turf related roles.  I believe the WCTA has and will continue to encompass all facets of Turfgrass Management providing its members with a well rounded opportunistic experience.  What better way to be the best we can be than by showcasing all turf related areas.  My hope is to secure a position on the board of directors with the WCTA.  I realize the board has typically only had members from British Columbia but I feel having members involved from Alberta and potentially beyond would only help to diversify and expand on an already successful organization.

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Being born and raised in Kelowna, I have worked in the Golf Industry the past 24 years, starting out at the Kelowna Golf & Country Club. I attended Fairview College (now N.A.I.T) from 1990 to 1992 while working as the Assistant Superintendent at the Country Club and was also the Interim Superintendent the spring and summer of 1992.

In 1993 I moved to the Quail Ridge Golf & Country Club, as the Assistant Superintendent. The following year I became the Superintendent. After various ownership changes, in 1998 our course was purchased by Burrard International, now GolfBC, and we changed our name to the Okanagan Golf Club. In 1999 we expanded our course to a Championship 36 hole facility with the Quail Course and the addition of the Bear Course, a course I helped oversee the construction and grow in of. I am proud to say I have been the Superintendent of our club for the past 16 years.

I have been active in other golf associations, being the President of the Interior Chapter of the British Columbia Golf Superintendents Association from 2000-06 and I served on the Provincial Board of Directors of the B.C.G.S.A. for seven years. I served as President of this Provincial Association in 2003-04, and was honored to receive the B.C.G.S.A. Superintendent of the Year Award in 2007. As President of the B.C.G.S.A., I also served on the B.C. Allied Golf Association Board for two years. I have also served on various Canadian Golf Superintendent Association committees, and most recently served on the City of Kelowna’s Pesticide By-Law Review Committee, and am now proud to say I am on the board as a director for the Western Canada Turfgrass Association.

I have a wife, Jill, and two sons, Griffin & Cooper, and enjoy playing all sports, particularly hockey, football, golf, snowboarding, wakeboarding, and coaching minor baseball.

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Larry Olson, Director

I was born and raised in the big city of Kaslo, BC.  After graduating I decided to move to Toronto, (just a bit of a culture shock) where I took the Golf Course Technician program at Seneca College.  I worked my practicum year and year after graduation at The Summit Golf Club in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

From there I moved to Calgary where I worked one season at Bearspaw as the irrigation technician.  Things were great in Calgary, but my mother, who still lived in Kaslo, kept sending me information about a new course that was being built just down the road in Balfour.  When she sent me the news that they were interviewing for a superintendent I jumped at the opportunity, and was fortunate enough to get the position.  I spent 10 years as superintendent at the Balfour Golf Club.  While there, I was on the Kootenay region of the BCGSA board as secretary-treasurer, vice-president and president. 

I left Balfour in 2000 to take the position of Superintendent at the Penticton Golf and Country Club, the position I still hold today.  While in the Okanagan I have been a director, vice-president and president of the BCGSA Interior region.

My wife Carmen and I have 3 children, Leslee, Kailee and James.  And yikes, even a great little 4-year-old grandson, Kale. 

I’m happy to say I still love my job, but when not working I enjoy camping, boating, fishing, golf, hockey and slow pitch.

I am excited to be on the board, and plan to represent the WCTA members that voted for me to the best of my abilities.

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I have worked in the golf course construction and maintenance industry since 1990 starting as an irrigation installer at the prestigious golf club, Predator Ridge. In 1992, I completed my Bachelors Degree in Science, graduating from the University of British Columbia, specializing in biology which helped continue the advance of my career in golf course maintenance. In 1993 I joining the maintenance team at the very old (1912) and distinguished Vernon Golf and Country Club for a season. In 1994 I moved to the world renowned golf course and host of 7 PGA tour events, Northview Golf and Country Club. During my career development at Northview I was promoted to assistant superintendent where my knowledge and understanding of turf management was greatly increased. In 2001 I returned back to university (UBC) for more education in soil science and in 2002 I was accepted into a graduate program in the Agricultural department where I graduated with a Masters Degree in Soil Science in 2005. The thesis was published in the Canadian Journal of Soil Science, Volume 80:411-417, under the Title: Core aeration of sand-based putting greens in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia. In January of 2007 I joined the Golf Operations team at the City of Burnaby as the Superintendent of the Turf Care Center. I also consulted for the Parks department on their sports fields and in the summer of 2007 Swangard Stadium was deemed to have produced the best soccer pitch conditions in Canada for the U20 FIFA World Cup. Over the passed 3 years as a Board of Director for the Western Canada Turfgrass Association, I have tried to give back to our industry and its professionals as much education/information as my experience and education has given to me and hope to continue to serve this great industry on in the future.

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