PGA of BC Sales Manager Grant Gray was on hand to greet people at Education Series #3 at The Harvest Golf Club on March 3.

While snow blanketed the picturesque Harvest Golf Club in Kelowna on March 3, more than 25 PGA of BC members spent the day learning from Jason Kennedy, Tim Kubash and Brad Pelletier during Education Event #3.

Host professional and moderator Chad Scott welcomed members to the event and introduced the first speaker, Jason Kennedy, whose talk was titled "The Experience and Opportunities of Change."

Kennedy, pictured at the front speaking during his Monday presentation, led the group in a discussion on understanding how people experience and react to change and how these are the first steps in helping themselves through any transition. Kennedy discussed how each step along the way provides an opportunity to learn, grow and benefit from the changes that occur.

Kennedy, a Leadership and Change Management expert, has seen the words change and customer experience defined numerous ways over the years. With over 15 years as an expert in the fields of Leadership, Change Management, Employee Engagement and Customer Experience, his view is radically different.  Jason shared with the attendee how  change and the experience of change can be full of opportunity. It is understanding how change affects us, how we react and ultimately how we embrace and support change that separates our success from failure. 

Next to speak was Tim Kubash, seen below on the right and current Superintendent at the Salmon Arm Golf Club, whose topic was: "Testing the Limits of Your Environment."

Kubash, pictured here, has more than 30 years of experience in the Turfgrass industry. He started in 1984 at the St.Paul Golf Club, his hometown club. In 1987 he graduated with a Diploma in Turfgrass Management from Fairview College in Northern Alberta.

In the early 90’s Tim worked with Les Furber doing construction work at golf courses throughout BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, including the Royal Mayfair and Predator Ridge. After helping construct the new Graham Acres Golf Club in Whitecourt, AB, Tim took over as Superintendent at the age of 25. Sechelt Golf Club was his next Superintendent's posting for a few years, then on to the 36-hole Golden Eagle Golf Club in Pitt Meadows. In 1998, Tim became the Superintendent at the Salmon Arm Golf Club.

Tim received his Master Superintendents accreditation from the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association in 2003.He is a past President of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, serving as President in 2012. Previous to this, he was a Director of the BCGSA from 1999-2005.

After a great lunch prepared by the remarkable hospitality staff at The Harvest, the afternoon presentation was led by Brad Pelletier, Vice-President, Okanagan of Wesbild, where he is  responsible for all aspects of Wesbild’s Okanagan projects and operations including Predator Ridge and Turtle Mountain.

Brad joined Wesbild from Melcor where he was the Vice President – Kelowna Region and President, Melcor Lakeside. He had been supervising the development, operations and marketing of Black Mountain Golf & Residential Community, as well as overseeing Melcor’s other assets in BC.

Prior to that, for 13 years Brad was the Senior Vice President and Managing Director for IMG Canada, a unit of the world’s largest and most diversified sports and entertainment management company, and under his leadership, created the vision and business model to significantly improve operations and financials. Brad was responsible for all areas of the business which included athlete, events, licensing, fashion, consulting and media. Brad managed such notable clients as Mike Weir and Steve Nash, as well as many others. Prior to IMG, Brad worked for Burrard International whose businesses include the ownership of numerous marquee golf facilities.