Rhod Trainor To Receive William Sansom Distinguished Service Award

Rhod Trainor, the former superintendent at Hamilton Golf and Country Club has just been named the 11th recipient of the William Sansom Distinguished Service Award by the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association.

The OGSA will officially recognize Trainor during the Award Ceremony Luncheon held January 18, 2022 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel during the Canadian Golf Course Management Conference.

“Rhod’s notable career as golf course superintendent, educator, and mentor makes him the ideal recipient of the William Sansom Distinguished Service Award.  His contributions to the turfgrass industry are well regarded by his peers,” said OGSA president Al Schwemler.

The award, named after the OGSA’s first president, was created in 2004 to recognize those who have made significant contributions in the advancement of the golf course superintendents’ profession in Ontario.

“I am extremely proud, humbled and surprised to be selected for the William Sansom Award. Someone who starts up an association and takes on all the related work is someone I greatly admire.  A large part of my whole career was getting people to go to meetings and get education and that is best supplied through a well-organized group,” said Trainor.

Nominations supporting Trainor were received from OGSA past president Cory Janzen (Westmount Golf & Country Club), OGSA past president, Keith Bartlett (Bayer) and Dean Baker (Burlington Golf and Country Club).

Trainor spent his career seeking all opportunities to learn everything there is to know and shared expertise by educating young turf managers at the University of Guelph and Humber College.

In 2019, he took on a new title as project manager where he tackled a complete 27-hole renovation at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club. This two-year course improvement project is now complete.

Janzen states, “In addition to being a great person and mentor, he has also had a great career: multiple PGA Tour events, 30 years at the same private club, past president of the OGSA, CGSA Superintendent of the Year award recipient and the list goes on,” said Janzen.

“Most of us would consider our career successful if we achieved one of these milestones, let alone four of them. I could go on, but I honestly think that what he has achieved speaks for itself,” he said.

“My favourite and most admirable qualities are his empathy and loyalty,” added Bartlett.

“Over the years, he would vehemently defend any golf course superintendent who was unfairly criticized. He would ensure the truth was stated even if unpopular at the time. He would have your back.”

Baker agrees.

“Rhod is a fine candidate for OGSA William Sansom Distinguished Service Award. He’s a man of integrity. He is a dedicated soul, to his work, his family and his friends. He faces any challenge head on and does so with hard work, dedication and a strong sense of humour,” said Baker.