Whether in between education sessions, during the show luncheon or even on the trade show floor, there's a lot of discussion and networking going on at the 2012 Carolinas GCSA Conference and Trade Show.
So we asked a handfull of show attendees to give us an idea of what all the buzz is about at this year's show.
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"The buzz from everyone I've talked to at the show has to do with the new lines of equipment that are coming out, especially with Tier-4 coming into play and how that will impact any increase in costs. I've heard a lot of guys asking the manufacturers to give them an idea of where costs are going with Tier-4."
-- Jim Evans, superintendent, The Cliffs at Keowee Falls
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"The big question I keep getting, because I've been using pigments for the last couple of years, is when is the right time to paint greens and fairways. I've been experimenting and tweaking that process for the last couple of years. Painting has proven to be a big help to me over the last couple of years. So I've been talking wqith a lot of the nozzle companies (here at the show) to get an ideas of better and more efficient ways of painting. I'm just trying to stay ahead of the curve."
-- Robert Vaughan Jr., superintendent, Brunswick Plantation and Golf
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"A lot of people are talking about how the industry is picking back up and budgets are starting to grow again. It seems golf is coming back as a whole. Wait... then again, I don't want to jinx it!"
-- Joey Foley, superintendent, The Badin Inn & Golf Club
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"People are talking about the education... and it's what's really important to me, too. I'm always looking to learn a few new things that I can bring back to my course to make my job easier and to make our operations more efficient."
-- Paul Waycaster, superintendent, Linville Land Harbor Golf Club
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"People are buzzing about what grass to put on greens. It's been bent for years and now the swing is toward Bermuda. Now, even some guys are leaning toward zoysia. On the pest side, talk as been buzzing about mini ring and nematodes. And like everyone, water issues have been really big. So many superintendents are trying to oversee and it's been really tough for them because of the lack of rainfall (in this area)."
-- Bert McCarty, professor, Clemson University
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"There's been a lot of talk at this show about spraying colorants, especially since it's proving to be a costs savings compared to overseeding. Also, superintendents are looking for the technology that not only covers the best, but also applies the colorants effiiently."
-- Will Smart, Greenleaf Technologies
