More than 2K attend Carolinas GCSA Conference and Trade Show

Close to 2,200 people attended the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSA) Conference and Trade Show on Nov. 18-20. The three-day event in Myrtle Beach, S.C., took place less than two months after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the region.

“Some of the regular faces were missing this year because they had more important things to take care of,” Tim Kreger, executive director of the Carolinas GCSA, said. “But they were in our hearts, prayers and conversations all week. Getting together with colleagues at the conference is something our members look forward to each year, but for those who could attend, it meant even more this year.”

Helene damaged hundreds of golf courses in North and South Carolina in late September but nowhere more severely than in the mountains of western North Carolina. Some courses will not reopen until well into next year, and there are concerns that some might not make it back at all.

“To be able to produce such a strong Conference and Trade Show so soon after the storm is a great reflection on the strength of the industry in our region and the people in it,” Kreger said. “Across the board, we are extremely happy with our numbers, some of which were new highs.”

A record 240 individual companies were represented on the trade show floor, occupying a record 419 booths. The previous highs in those categories were 217 (in 2017) and 414 (in 2019), respectively. Total attendance of 2,173 was the highest since 2013. In the education program presented in partnership with Syngenta, a total of 1,477 seminar seats were sold, down slightly from last year’s record of 1,508.

“We say it every year, but we mean it every year. This event succeeds because our members truly appreciate the incredible support we get from our industry partners,” Kreger said. “The industry partners help us stage a great event and our members keep turning up to make the most of it.”

Other news from the event includes:

• Alex Tolbert from Orangeburg (S.C.) Country Club was elected president of the association.
• Dean Farlow, from Deep Springs Country Club in Stoneville, N.C., was the sole newcomer to the board of directors.
• Members agreed to the first dues increase for Class A, B and C members in more than a decade. A and B dues went from $200 to $250 and C from $125 to $155.
• Chuck Green, from Quixote Club in Sumter, S.C., received the association’s Distinguished Service Award for his leadership, mentorship and service over more than 40 years.
• A record turnout of 110 people attended the annual show-eve reception for assistant superintendents presented in partnership with Tyler Bloom Consulting, Gloves Plus and Motorola Solutions at RipTydz Oceanfront Grille.
• Jimmy Murray, from Chechessee Creek Club in Okatie, S.C., was named Turf Equipment Technician of the Year by the Turf Equipment Technicians Association of the Carolinas.
• For a fifth year in a row, Horry-Georgetown Technical College won the Student Turf Bowl presented in partnership with The Aquatrol Company. A total of 12 teams from six different colleges competed.
• Life-memberships were presented to Russyll B. Barnette and Richard W. Staughton, CGCS.

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