In January 1, 2005 the
Golf Equipment Technicians Association of Canada (GETAC) amalgamated
with the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA). A
letter and CGSA application form were distributed to all GETAC
members. Completion of this form was necessary to ensure that
member benefits could be made available.
At the March 2005 CGSA Board of
Director’s meeting, the first CGSA “Golf Equipment
Technicians Advisory Committee” was established. The
Committee is Chaired by Robert Burrows, Master Superintendent, Rosedale
Golf Club and includes Larry Murray, Tim Holt, Eddie Konrad, Dennis
Jeanneau, Clinton Smith and Ian
Martinusen as members. Additional volunteers may
still be added. Ken Cousineau, Executive Director of the CGSA
serves as staff liaison to the Committee. The Committee has met
once and established its priorities for the next 18 months as
follows:
- CGSA website –
incorporation of some components that were specific to the needs of the
equipment technician;
- Apprentice programs –
including everything from program design and promotion to high school
programs to introduce the profession; to job fair presentations, salary
comparisons and opportunity identification to encourage more
participation in the various programs;
- Continuing education,
and;
- Name of the profession and the
role of the equipment technician within the golf course management
team.
It also identified a number of
training topics that it would like to see offered over the next two
years at conference programs and through seminars. These
included:
- Oil Chemistry
- Dealing with Tires and
Brakes
- The Diagnosis of Metal Fatigue
and Failure
- Maintenance and Repair of Pumps
and Pump Stations
- Diagnosing Electrical
Problems
- Shop Safety
- Shop Design and
Layout
- Fleet Management
- Parts Ordering and
Inventory
- Grinding
- Time Management and
Scheduling
- Waste Management and Recycling in
the Shop
- Basic Agronomy – A Primer
for Equipment Technicians
Next steps in the implementation
of the agreement include adding an equipment technicians’ page to
the CGSA website, finalizing the education programs for technicians at
both the OGSA and the CGSA 2006 conferences and setting some specific
objectives and timelines relative to the promotion of apprenticeship
programs.
All superintendents and their
equipment technicians are encouraged to become involved in this
component of the CGSA. The role of the equipment technician is
vital to the efficient and effective management of the golf
course. Our efforts to involve a greater number of technicians in
the CGSA and to use our resources to provide additional programs and
services for equipment technicians will benefit golf course management
across Canada. For more
information concerning membership or to obtain an application form click here or call Lori Micucci at 905-602-8873
est. 226. If you have suggestions on how this website can
better serve you email Jacqui Atkin.
