Liberty, S.C. – A seventh consecutive year of record numbers at the annual Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Conference and Trade Show continue to point to the event’s emergence as a focal point for the golf course maintenance industry in the Southeast.
The four-day event in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in November set new highs in every major category, a trend that continues unbroken since 1998. Carolinas GCSA executive director, Chuck Borman, says while growth was marginal in 2005 – attendance rose 3 percent - it was strongest and most encouraging in the number of attendees from outside the Carolinas.
“We only have so many members in the Carolinas and our growth has been so strong in recent years that we know we must plateau at some point,” Borman says. “But one area where we are seeing things pick up some real steam is in visitors from out of state. I think the word is getting around that we provide high quality and high value.”
The number of attendees from Georgia, Virginia and Florida rose more than 30 percent in 2005. Pat Jones, consultant with Flagstick, LLC, says the Carolinas GCSA Conference and Trade Show can expect those numbers to continue to rise as the event grows its reputation as a show for the whole Southeast.
“It’s a unique regional ‘golf-only’ education and trade event that’s become second only to the Golf Industry Show in terms of size and scope,” Jones says.
At the show, Jones moderated an hour-long state of the game discussion between Steve Mona, chief executive officer of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and Roger Warren, president of the PGA of America. Together the two organizations represent the professional interests of around 50,000 golf industry members. Discussion centered on the cooperative role superintendents and professionals can play in growing the game.
But Mona and Warren also focused on healthy competition between the two disciplines as golf operations refine their business models in a new economy. Both agreed the old model of general manager, golf pro and superintendent was under threat as facilities sought to streamline costs and efficiencies. Existing roles and responsibilities would evolve and both men said their associations were committed to helping their members adapt and meet that change.
Other highlights at the show included the Distinguished Service Award presentation to Bob Bell, vice-president and manager of the turf products group for Smith Turf and Irrigation, in Charlotte, NC. Carolinas GCSA members also observed a moment of silence at their annual business meeting in honor of founder member, Grant Bennett, who died in 2005. Rob Roy, from The River Club in Suwanee, Ga., won the Carolinas GCSA Golf Championship for a third year in a field of 312 golfers. Danny Allen, from Camden Country Club, Camden, S.C., was elected president.
“We are absolutely thrilled by the support we receive from our members, our industry partners, and an increasing number of visitors from outside the region,” Borman says. “To hit new highs on the back of our 50th anniversary celebrations in 2004 is a great vote of confidence in the event we offer.”