TIMELINE

An in-depth history of how it all started.

Founding the OVTA

The first meeting of the interested, founding members, convened at the Royal Ottawa Golf Course, in 1971. There was sufficient agreement that the Royal Ottawa Superintendent, Les Kelly, announced the formation of the OVTA, at the 1972 CGSA Conference. There were 17 founding members.

Four individuals on this list were CGSA Board members: David S. Gourlay, Gordon Witteveen, William Hynd and Camil Labelle. These gentlemen lent their support and expertise to the formation of the Association, since they had been instrumental in the formation of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) in 1966. Gord Witteveen, in fact, wrote the OVTA Charter.

The first OVTA Board of Directors was elected in 1972. A couple of these individuals deserve special mention. George Payne, served as the first President of the OVTA. His significant contribution to the OVTA has been enshrined in the George Payne Memorial Shield, that recognizes a member for outstanding service and contribution to the turfgrass industry. Through his efforts and sponsorship, the OVTA Fall Field Day, a permanent fixture on the OVTA calendar, is largely associated with Hylands Golf Club, where George was first the golf course superintendent, and then the General Manager. In addition, he hosted the annual Winter Seminar at Hylands (1973 - 1985) when the growing membership was forced to move to a larger facility.

James Boyce was elected OVTA President in 1976. Jim had been associated with turfgrass throughout the 1950's and 1960's, managing grass plots at the Dominion Central Experimental Farm on Ottawa. In 1970-1973, Ji was the Executive Director of the CGSA. After his retirement, he began a soil testing business in liaison with Brookside Laboratories in Ohio.

James Boyce

50 Year Anniversary

Over the years, the OVTA has hosted an array of trials, funded research, provided opportunities to further education and knowledge, as well as, maintained a community for peers to connect and socialize with each other. We are excited to celebrate 50 years of contributing to the turfgrass industry!

George Payne & the First Board of Directors

The Idea

In the late 1960's, a group of like-minded individuals working in the Ottawa Valley turfgrass industry, came to the conclusion that there was a need for a local association, after meeting informally on a regular basis.

The founding members were determined that the Association would encourage and support turfgrass research, and the exchange of scientific and practical knowledge, relating to the construction and  maintenance of turfgrass areas, that were directly related to their areas of expertise.

Through his connection, James Boyce became associated with the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation, becoming the Canadian Director. Consequently, the OVTA hosted the Musser Foundation Golf Tournament (1981 - 1990) to support education and research. This tournament was subsequently replaced by the OVTRF Golf Tournament in 1991, to raise turfgrass research dollars that would remain in Canada.

OVTRF Golf Tournament