Features Golf Profiles
CGSA, Toro announce winner of assistant superintendent-of-the-year award

      Dain Mikulic, associate superintendent at Vancouver’s Marine Drive Golf Club, has been named winner of the CGSA/Toro Assistant Superintendent-of-the-Year Award for 2022.

      The award, sponsored by the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and The Toro Company, recognizes the specific achievements of a golf course assistant superintendent whose performance and contributions to the success of the facility go beyond those that would normally be expected. The award is presented to an individual who has contributed to his or her golf facility in a significant way and who has demonstrated professionalism, leadership, innovation and a team approach in their work.

      Mikulic has been in the golf course industry for more than 15 years, and is is going into his fifth season with the Marine Drive Golf Club. Prior to working there, he was assistant superintendent from 2009-2018 at Victoria Golf and Country Club. Jamie Robb, AGS, nominated Mikulic for the award, saying, “Dain has been not only my right-hand man, but both hands when leading the operations of the department. Our management style at Marine Drive of elevate and delegate has put the entire operations side of the links department on Dain’s shoulders, and he and the team have thrived due to his professionalism, leadership, innovation and his team first approach.”

      CGSA president Pierre Vezeau said, “Those closest to Dain Mikulic describe him as one of the nicest, kindest individuals. He is the first person to volunteer to help anyone, anytime with anything. Dain is an exceptional person who is enthusiastic and committed to our profession. He is meticulous and has a keen eye for quality. His natural leadership, good-natured personality and fun demeanor makes everyone around him feel comfortable and appreciated.”

      Josh Tubbs, senior marketing manager for The Toro Company, said, “Toro is proud to honour Dain Mikulic who is an outstanding associate superintendent. As evidenced by his exemplary leadership and his drive to achieve his goals leaves a lasting impression on everyone he meets. We look forward to hosting Dain and a group of his assistant superintendent peers for networking and education during the upcoming Toro Experience for Assistant Superintendents.”

      As the CGSA/Toro Assistant Superintendent-of-the-Year winner, Mikulic will receive an all access registration to the Canadian 2023 Golf Course Management Conference in Vancouver, Feb. 22-24, as well as four nights’ accommodation and transportation costs. Toro will provide a stipend for meals and incidental expenses during the conference, and will cover his CGSA 2023 membership dues.

      Mikulic is also invited to attend the Toro Experience for Assistant Superintendents, an exclusive event hosted at The Toro Company Headquarters in Bloomington, Minn. in August of each year, including round-trip airfare and accommodations during the event.

      For more information about the Vancouver conference or to register, click here.