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CTRF endorses nomination of veteran superintendent into golf hall of fame

The Canadian Turf Research Foundation (CTRF) has thrown its support behind the nomination of Bruce Klaasen for induction into the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame.

The nomination for the veteran golf superintendent was put forth by members of the Royal Regina Golf Club, who stated, “Bruce’s motto of ‘being creative and being on budget’ exemplifies his commitment to his profession. His expertise, innovation and tireless work ethic is widely respected by his peers and appreciated by those lucky enough to play courses where he’s been head superintendent over a career that spans more than 40 years.”

Because of Klaasen’s longtime involvement in turfgrass research, the nominating committee sought a letter of support from the CTRF. The letter states:

“The list of Bruce’s accomplishments and contributions to the game of golf is lengthy and his impact, on multiple levels, is well known within the industry. As a national charitable organization which funds research toward best turf management practices, the CTRF especially appreciates Bruce’s dedication, throughout his career, to the support and implementation of ground-breaking research in the field of turf management.

“One of the most wide-reaching examples of Bruce’s spirit of innovation is the implementation of an extensive winter cover system at the Royal Regina Golf Club. Since 2014, Bruce has been using Greenjacket impermeable covers and Futerra 7020 turf reinforcement mats to protect greens from devastating winter ice damage, a decades-old challenge for nearly every Canadian golf course and one compounded by our short golfing/growing season.

“This system, now used successfully by dozens of courses across Canada, was very new at the time and Bruce was one of the very first adopters. At this point, golf clubs have saved countless dollars and resources in greens reparations and more importantly, are able to consistently provide far healthier and playable turf surfaces for eager early season golfers.

“Bruce is an innovator, a trait that has helped lead him to such a successful career and indeed helped progress and forever change the golfing and sporting community in Saskatchewan and across Canada.

“Thank you for considering Mr. Bruce Klaassen as a Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame nominee.”

Once elected to the Hall of Fame, nominees are officially inducted at a special ceremony by the Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame. The honoured member’s portrait is then enshrined at the Golf Saskatchewan office and is available for viewing on the virtual Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame available through the Golf Saskatchewan website.

The Saskatchewan Golf Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of extraordinary contributions and accomplishments in the game of golf in Saskatchewan. The purpose is to provide role models and icons for upcoming generations of golfers in Saskatchewan while setting standards for them to aspire to. Honoured members, including amateur and professional golfers and builders of the sport, have been inducted annually starting in 2010.