Gord Witteveen
The late Gord Witteveen (1934-2010), a golf course superintendent for more than 50 years and founding director of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) has been elected as the 2012 inductee into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
Witteveen, only the second superintendent to earn induction -- the other being John B. Steel in 1988 – goes into the Hall as a builder and becomes the 70th honoured member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
"Gord Witteveen made tremendous contributions as a superintendent, author and educator and it is only fitting that as such, he is recognized for his accomplishments," said Ian Clarke, Chair of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
"His mentorship of countless young men and women left an indelible mark on the superintendent profession, ensuring the continuity of knowledgeable and capable golf management professionals for generations to come," said Ken Cousineau, Executive Director of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association.
Witteveen will be posthumously inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame at a ceremony in January 2013.
He became superintendent at Noranda Mines Golf Club in Quebec between 1956 and 1957, then was superintendent at London Highland Country Club upon graduation from college in 1958.
Three years later, he moved to Toronto and was superintendent for 12 years at the now defunct Northwood Golf Course. It was during this tenure that he helped found the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA), serving on the CGSA's Board of Directors between 1966 and 1972, and also serving as CGSA President in 1970.
From 1973 to 1999, Witteveen served as superintendent of the Board of Trade Country Club in Woodbridge, Ont., expanding the facility to 45 holes. Upon his retirement from Board of Trade after 36 years of service, Witteveen owned and operated Pleasant View Golf Club, a 9-hole course near Brantford, Ont., until its sale in 2008.