Superintendents ready to roll into Myrtle Beach

Strong interest in Carolinas GCSA Conference and Show despite challenges posed by Hurricane Matthew.


Hurricane Matthew left a trail of destruction along the Southeastern coast but it hasn’t put a dent in the annual Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association Conference and Trade Show in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Registration for the three-day event which starts Monday is on track to match last year’s strong turnout. Exhibitors too continue to back the show with just two of 398 exhibit booths available as of close of business Thursday, Nov. 10.

More than 1,300 seats have been sold in a strong slate of education featuring 28 seminars, 16 of which are new to the conference. The golf championship across four courses at Barefoot Resort on Monday has attracted 330 players. Another 40 show-goers will compete in a sporting clays championship.

“We are extremely grateful to our members and their colleagues from other states who continue to support our event every year,” Carolinas GCSA executive director Tim Kreger said. “Because they keep coming, our industry partners keep coming too. We have close to 200 individual companies represented again this year.”

Kreger says that level of participation from both superintendents and vendors is particularly encouraging after what has been an “extremely tough fall” for many members. Many had just finished cleanup after Tropical Storm Hermine when Hurricane Matthew struck.

“Only handful of courses remain closed but the cleanup for some will carry into next year,” Kreger said. “It has been an exhausting time for superintendents and their teams. It says something of their professionalism, and of our event, that so many of them are still making time to come and get the latest education, research updates and see what’s new on the trade show floor.”

The Carolinas GCSA Conference and Trade Show runs Monday, Nov. 14 through Wednesday, Nov. 16. Highlights include:

--Carolinas GCSA Golf championship presented in partnership with Smith Turf and Irrigation.
--27-Hole Challenge with about $12,500 in giveaways presented in partnership with Greenville Turf and Tractor, Revels Turf and Tractor, ShowTurf and John Deere Golf.
--Carolinas Hour on-site reception presented in partnership with Tri-State Pump and Control.
--Sporting clays championship presented in parternship with Bayer and Carolina Fresh Farms.
--Student Turf Bowl presented in partnership with Precision Laboratories.
--Fellowship breakfast presented in partnership with Corbin Turf and Ornamental Supply and NewLife Turf.
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