The Carolinas GCSA’s biggest show ever is in the books, and the books are bulging with numbers. The show wrapped up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, last week with a record total attendance of 2,250 and new highs established in a host of other categories. The previous best was 2,162 last year.
Other new records included 1,515 seminar seats filled, up on the previous high of 1,508 in 2023; 256 exhibiting companies, up on 240 last year; 446 trade show booths sold, up on 425 in 2007; and 429 golfers in the golf championship, up on 374 in 2023.
“We couldn’t be happier, and we couldn’t be more grateful to our industry partners, our members and our visitors who all contributed to the best show in the 71-year history of the association,” Carolinas GCSA executive director Tim Kreger says. “Of course, the golf industry is riding high but a week like this doesn’t happen without something to bring it together.
“And we certainly have “it” here in the Carolinas with the community that has been built over the years. Our members thrive on getting together and learning from each other. Put that together with the service, quality and value we provide here at Conference and Show and that’s why our show is what we saw last week - the biggest and best regional gathering of the golf course maintenance industry in the country.”
Another milestone this year was the number of individual companies that lent support beyond their trade show presence. Fifty of them sponsored a range of activities and services adding to the Conference and Show experience for attendees.
In other news from the Conference and Trade Show, which ran from November 17 through 19:
- Brian Green, from Lonnie Poole Golf Course at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, became the Carolinas GCSA’s 52nd president, taking over from Alex Tolbert, from Orangeburg Country Club in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
- Two first-timers were elected to the board of directors - Tim Carpenter, CGCS from Gaston Country Club in Gaton, North Carolina, and Zac Ramey, from The Country Club of Spartanburg in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Doug Lowe, CGCS from Greensboro Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, was elected to fill a seat reserved for past presidents.
- Bob Farren, CGCS director of golf course management at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina, received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest recognition the association provides.
- Terry English, from Kiawah Island Resort’s Oak Point course on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, won his third Carolinas GCSA Golf Championship with a two-under par round of 70 at True Blue Golf Club. The golf championship is presented in partnership with Smith Turf & Irrigation and The Toro Company.
- Heath Roberts, from Arrowhead Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, won the grand prize in the 27-Hole Challenge presented in partnership with John Deere Golf, Revels Turf and Tractor, Beard Equipment Company and Ecological Improvements. Roberts won a five-day guided fishing trip for two in Panama.
- Adam Cribbet, from Old Tabby Links at Spring Island in Okatie, South Carolina, won his third successive Carolinas GCSA Sporting Clays Championship at Back Woods Quail Club. The event is presented in partnership with Carolina Fresh Farms, Envu and Harrell’s.
- Clemson University broke Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s five-year iron grip on the Student Turf Bowl coming out on top of a 12-team field in the event presented in partnership with The Aquatrols Company.
- A record turnout of 160 people, up from 110 last year, attended the annual show-eve reception for assistant superintendents presented in partnership with Bloom Golf Partners, at RipTydz Oceanfront Grille.
- 145 people attended the annual Fellowship Breakfast presented in partnership Corbin Turf & Ornamental Supply and New Life Turf.
- Chad Kintzer, from The Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach, was elected president of the Turf Equipment Technicians Association of the Carolinas for the next three years. Jake Teeter, from Winding Creek Golf Club in Thomasville, North Carolina, received the Bill Ledford Award, presented in partnership with TSP, as Turf Equipment Technician of the Year.
Next year’s Conference and Show at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center runs from November 16 to 18.
