Let the record proceeds talk

The strength of golf’s resurgence in the Carolinas has been underlined by the highest grossing Conference and Trade Show in the history of the 1,800-member Carolinas GCSA. The recently completed three-day event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, grossed more than $830,000, an increase of more than 15 percent on the previous record set just last year.

“There are all sorts of metrics people use to gauge how the industry is doing – rounds, memberships, renovation and construction activity – but at the end of the day, the big tell is how much industry players are spending,” Carolinas GCSA executive director Tim Kreger said. “And there might be no better snapshot of that in this region than our Conference and Show.

“This is where golf course superintendents come for education and to meet face to face with manufacturers, suppliers and service providers. When all those groups turn up and spend like they did this year, you know the game is in a great place.”

While inflation has raised the cost of many items and services since the pandemic, Kreger added that Conference and Show pricing has been stable since resuming as an in-person event in 2021.

“That’s entirely because of the wonderful participation of our members and the support of our industry partners,” he said. “The fact is, in an increasingly online world, people want to be at our Conference and Show, to learn, to do business and to build their professional network.”

Total attendance of 1,995 was the highest in a decade behind the high-water mark of 2,006 set in 2013. In addition to the health of the game in the region, Kreger said the show’s success also pointed to its “quality and value for money.” Attendees came from 30 states and Canada.

Demand this year was so strong that the association provided vouchers for one free lunch during the trade show for exhibitors and attendees who purchased full conference packages. “We wanted to say thank you to the people who – one by one – play such a big part in the success of the event,” Kreger said.

Among categories where new records were set this year included:

• Education seminars, where 1,511 seats were sold in the program presented in partnership with Syngenta, beating the previous high of 1,366 in 2019.
• The golf championship, which drew 374 golfers across three courses. The previous record was 358 in 2019.
• Special event sponsorships, where more than 30 individual companies were involved.

In other Conference and Show highlights:

• Pete Gerdon, from Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, North Carolina, became the association’s 50th president when he was elected at the annual business meeting.
• Members elected three new faces to the board of directors: Eric Dusa, CGCS from Marlboro County Golf and Recreational Complex in Bennettsville, South Carolina; Matt Jones, CGCS from Forsyth Country Club in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Todd Lawrence, CGCS from The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh, North Carolina.
• Dr. Fred Yelverton, of North Carolina State University, received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the association.
• Steve Agazzi, from Charleston Municipal Golf Course in Charleston, South Carolina, won the golf championship presented in partnership with Toro and Smith Turf & Irrigation.
• Adam Cribbet, from Old Tabby Links at Spring Island in Okatie, South Carolina, won the sporting clays championship presented in partnership with Carolina Fresh Farms, Envu and Harrell’s.
• Ron Kelly, CGCS from the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, North Carolina, won a fishing trip for two to Panama in the 27-Hole Challenge presented in partnership with John Deere Golf, Revels Turf and Tractor, Beard Equipment Company and Ecological Improvements;
• Eric Church, from Hound Ears Club in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, was Turf Equipment Technician of the Year by the Turf Equipment Technicians Association of the Carolinas.
• Clemson University’s No. 1 team and Horry-Georgetown Technical College recorded the first tie in the history of the Student Turf Bowl presented in partnership with Precision Laboratories.