William Sansom Distinguished Service Award Application and Nomination Guidlines
Nomination Deadline
A call for nominations opens: March 1st or the nearest next business day.
Nominations will close: June 30 or the nearest next business day.
Purpose
The William Sansom Distinguished Service Award honours individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to the game of golf and made outstanding, enduring contributions to advancing the golf course superintendent profession in Ontario. Named in tribute to OGSA’s first President, this award celebrates exceptional leadership, dedication to the game of golf, environmental contributions, philanthropic contributions, and influence within the turfgrass industry.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the award, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Must have made a significant and enduring contribution, held in the highest regard to the golf course superintendent profession in Ontario.
- Contributions may be regional or national in scope but must reflect positively on the profession.
- Current OGSA Board members and their immediate families are ineligible.
- Non-members, including educators and industry affiliates, may be nominated.
Nomination Requirements
- Nomination Requirements:
- Nominations must be submitted jointly by two OGSA members in good standing.
- The nominee must consent to having their name stand before the award is presented.
- Nomination package must be compiled and submitted to the OGSA Executive Office, as one document or package. Sent to admin@ogsa.ca.
- All nominations and supporting materials become the property of OGSA and will be kept in strict confidence.
Evidence Requirements
Each nomination package must include:
- Nomination form outlining the nominee’s contributions, achievements, and impact, signed and attested by at least two individuals.
- Supporting documentation of the significant contribution, should include:
- Career highlights and professional milestones.
- A list of awards or recognitions received.
- Publications, presentations, or educational contributions.
- 10 Letters of support from peers, employers, or industry leaders.
- If the nominee is a high-profile individual from outside the immediate superintendent community, documented evidence of leadership, mentorship, or advocacy within the turfgrass profession may be submitted in lieu of the standard requirement for ten letters of support.
Examples of Eligible Impacts:
The nominee should demonstrate
- Community Impact & Industry Service
- Demonstrates leadership in local or regional turfgrass initiatives (e.g., UoG, GTI, NTRF, First Green, youth outreach, professional association involvement).
- Volunteers time and expertise to turfgrass organizations (e.g., regional, provincial, national, international).
- Contributes to research, advocacy, or policy development that advances the profession.
- Actively mentors peers, assistants, or students to foster professional growth.
- Supports charitable or educational programs that benefit the turfgrass community.
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Fosters a positive and inclusive work environment.
- Builds strong relationships with staff, club members, and industry peers.
- Actively pursues continuing education and fosters a culture of learning and growth for all team members. Participates in regional or national turf associations and events.
- Innovation & Problem Solving
- Implements creative solutions to turf management challenges.
- Adopts sustainable or forward-thinking practices.
- Shares knowledge through presentations, articles, or workshops.
- Professional Excellence
- Supports innovation and sustainable practices and maintains consistent professional standards that advance the turfgrass profession.
- Pursues continuing education and encourages staff development.
- Recognized by peers for professionalism and integrity.
- Resilience & Leadership During Adversity
- Demonstrates grace and leadership during difficult seasons (e.g., winterkill, drought, staffing shortages).
- Supports others during industry-wide challenges.
Judging Process
- All nominations will be reviewed by the OGSA Board of Directors.
- A two-thirds majority vote is required to confer the award.
- Nominations not selected will remain on file and be reconsidered for up to two years.
Presentation & Recognition
- The nominee must consent to having their name stand before the award is presented.
- The recipient will be featured in the Spring issue of ONCourse.
- The recipient will receive a complimentary pass to the OGSA Turfgrass Management Conference, along with travel and accommodations for themselves and a guest. The award will be formally presented during the annual awards luncheon at the Ontario Golf Course Management Conference.