Mike Jiggens for Turf and Rec, reports that 11 years ago, the thought of being named Canada’s sports turf manager of the year would likely have been the furthest thing from Dave Boehmer’s mind. At that point in his career, he was working in the golf industry as assistant superintendent at Milton, Ont.’s Glencairn Golf Club.
But as fate would have it – at a stage in his life when he was starting to look at potential superintendent positions – the City of Guelph was looking to fill the newly created position of sports field operator. Already a resident of the city, he applied for the position and was offered the job.
Over the past 11 years, Boehmer has since climbed the ladder to become lead hand of sports fields and winter maintenance, beginning his third season in that capacity, and oversees three city sports field operators. He said he wasn’t aware he had been named sports turf manager of the year until he attended April’s spring industry forum and annual general meeting of Sports Turf Canada at Toronto’s BMO Field.
Boehmer was nominated for the honor by Ian Ferguson, program manager of turf and sports fields for the City of Guelph, and believes the nod may have come as a result of his relations with his staff.
“I think in his mind, one of my biggest strengths is dealing with the staff,” Boehmer said. “It’s been a combination over the years of him witnessing how I deal with staff and the fact that we can actually take on more and different projects now.” Read it all here