Yesterday they tore down Christmas to make way for turf technology.
That's right, the gigantic holiday gift show at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center closed up shop and made way for the Carolinas GCSA show, the second-largest golf course trade show in the nation. Sad, blue-haired old ladies in butt-ugly reindeer sweaters wept as mowers, tractors and utility vehicles rolled over what was left of the Yuletide spirit. It was awesome.
While the show (which grew again this year) began to come to life, the majority of the folks who arrived for the pre-show fun played golf, shot skeet or otherwise enjoyed an Indian Summer day with sunshine and temps close to 80. More than 320 people played in the golf championship, including yours truly. I sucked but I truly did not care. Great weather, great people, great camaraderie always trump crappy golf.
A few quick observations about this year's C&S:
I was delighted to see GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans here to help introduce new regional field staff representative Ron Wright to his constituents in the Carolinas. It's no secret that the Carolinas is the largest and best funded regional association and there's occasional friction with the national. Smart move by Rhett to come visit.
Retired CGCSA and GCSAA executive Chuck Borman is happy, healthy and still booming. The man has a voice like Foghorn Leghorn on steroids.
I'm still surprised that more Yankee supers don't come down to check this event out. It's dirt cheap in Myrtle this time of year and the weather is usually okay (or even spectacular like today). The education is world class and the show is continues to grow in size and value annually. If you're not here, you're missing something special.
But, whether you're reading this as an attendee here in Dixie or reading it on your iPad in Omaha, we'll try to give you some special insights into the event and the latest products coming for 2014 from the exhibitors. Stay tuned!