Mississauga, ON — The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA), in partnership with Rain Bird, is pleased to announce Tyler Patroch, AGS, former Director of Grounds at Point Grey Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, British Columbia, as the recipient of the 2025 CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement of the Year Award.

The CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement Award recognizes a CGSA golf course superintendent member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and contribution to both the profession and their community. The award honours superintendents who implement an environmental project, program, or practice at their facility and document the measurable environmental impact of that initiative.

A CGSA member since 2001, Tyler holds the Association’s Accredited Golf Superintendent (AGS) designation and has demonstrated outstanding leadership in sustainable golf course management throughout his tenure at Point Grey Golf & Country Club.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award from Rain Bird and the CGSA. This recognition is a testament to the collective dedication of the Point Grey team. I am incredibly proud of the innovative work we accomplished together and grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to such an impactful project.”
— Tyler Patroch, AGS

In 2019, Tyler led a transformative sustainability project at Point Grey Golf & Country Club that redefined modern golf course management in Canada. Working alongside architect Riley Johns, the club renovated three holes as part of a practice facility upgrade and the first phase of a comprehensive master plan designed to ensure the course’s long-term success for generations to come.

The project included modernized irrigation systems, upgraded drainage, and the transition of short-cut playing surfaces (excluding greens) to fine fescue turf. This innovative approach significantly reduced water use, fertilizer inputs, and labour requirements, while expanding tightly mown areas and enhancing overall playability. Tyler’s “Down the Middle” philosophy ensured the course could perform reliably through Vancouver’s hot, dry summers and wet winters, addressing both environmental and operational challenges.

Since opening, the renovated holes have reduced manual watering labour by 78% during peak summer months. These efficiencies, combined with lower resource inputs, have strengthened the club’s financial sustainability and environmental stewardship, while allowing staff to dedicate more time to course detailing and enhancing the golfer experience.

Tyler’s work represents more than environmental achievement—it serves as a blueprint for sustainable, future-ready golf course management. Through innovation, leadership, and forward-thinking planning, Point Grey Golf & Country Club is setting a new benchmark for excellence in sustainability and operational efficiency.

“Congratulations to Tyler on being selected as the 2025 CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement Award recipient. This recognition reflects his outstanding leadership and dedication to environmental stewardship, efficient resource management, community engagement, and a continued commitment to advancing sustainable practices and performance.”
— Braydon Gilbert, AGS, CGSA President

“Rain Bird is thrilled to recognize Tyler Patroch, AGS, as the 2025 CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement Award winner. Golf course superintendents play a vital role in environmental stewardship, and Tyler’s accomplishments exemplify the meaningful impact they make. We are proud to honour him with this award on February 24.”
— Erica Beck, Golf Area Manager – Canada, Rain Bird International, Inc.

Rain Bird is the exclusive sponsor of this award. Through its continued support, the CGSA is proud to recognize environmental achievement award winners who play an integral role in advancing sustainable golf course management.

Tyler, who recently joined Richmond Country Club as Superintendent, will be recognized for his work at Point Grey during the CGSA Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, February 24, in Calgary, Alberta. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved honour.

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About CGSA

The CGSA represents golf course superintendents, assistant superintendents, equipment technicians, and other professionals involved in golf course management across Canada. Founded in 1966, CGSA has more than 1,100 members and is celebrating 60 years of leadership, education, and connection. CGSA’s mission is to support its members in the art and science of golf course management and to serve as the leading authority and advocate for golf course superintendents in Canada. For more information, visit www.golfsupers.com.

About Rain Bird

In 1933, Rain Bird invented the horizontal action impact drive sprinkler—a creation that changed irrigation forever. That was just the start of Rain Bird’s impact, which has grown beyond agriculture to include more than 4,000 products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments, and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Nearly 100 years later, Rain Bird remains true to the purpose behind its very first innovation: to create irrigation technology that shapes the way your future grows, guided by a commitment to the Intelligent Use of WaterTM. Today, Rain Bird draws on nearly a century of expertise to serve a wide variety of industries, blending natural design and human ingenuity to make water work for everyone. For more information, please visit Rain Bird | A Global Irrigation Company