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The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has announced that it will condense the schedule for the GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic and the GCSAA Education Conference beginning next year in San Diego.
The move comes as a result of surveys and feedback from members, chapters and industry participants. The new schedule was played back to various internal groups with significant support for the change. Respondents have indicated in recent years that although the two-day mid-week trade show format is desirable, the length of the tournament and the conference was a deterrent in attending all or part of the activities.
The golf tournament will begin with the four-ball competition Sunday, Feb. 3, with the golf classic and national championship being conducted Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 4-5. A new event, likely featuring a scramble or shamble format, will be conducted Monday, Feb. 4, for those not participating in the classic or the national championship. The Sunday, Feb. 3 four-ball is a stand-alone event and does not require participation in the new Monday activity or the classic/national championship. In recent years, the four-ball was held on Friday, with the classic and national championship conducted Saturday and Sunday.
As for the education conference, activities will conclude on Friday, Feb. 8.
“The sentiment from those surveyed over the past few years has grown that the event is just too long for those who want to attend,” GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Rhett Evans said. “The new schedule came after getting strong feedback and carefully deliberating the change. We know that we cannot satisfy everyone’s needs in total. But we believe this to be the best solution for the majority of attendees.
“The new golf event will provide two days of golf for those who have enjoyed it in the past, but also want to attend Tuesday seminars. For those who will play in the classic and national championship, we will continue to monitor their education needs and desires. We will continue to offer education Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. This decision is not cast in stone. We will pay close attention to how our members are affected.”
The San Diego Convention Center will host the education events and the Golf Industry Show. The golf events will be in the San Diego metropolitan region as well with host courses to be determined.
“There is no better professional development experience for the GCSAA member than the combination of the golf tournament, conference and trade show,” Evans said. “The networking, information gathering and purchase decisions can be made with great efficiency. We owe it to our members to explore a means to make it easier to experience.”
