Congratulations to everyone involved in making this a record-breaking year for the Carolinas GCSA Conference and Trade Show. It makes me extremely proud to know that so many people from so far and wide have put their faith in our event, particularly at a time like this. With the economy still sagging, no one in golf can afford to waste a dollar. Seeing so many superintendents, industry partners and others continue to invest their time and money in this event is clear testimony to the value on offer.
This week we have attendees from nearly half the states in the nation. They have bought out every inch of exhibit space on the trade show floor and booked more seats than ever before – 1,300-plus - in education seminars. We had close to 320 players in our annual golf championship yesterday and more than 600 people will attend our annual Carolinas Night celebration tonight. On Wednesday, we will give away more than $13,000 in prizes in the 27-Hole Challenge including a $5,000 cash prize.
We can only hope those numbers are a sign of growing confidence that the tide is finally turning for our industry. There is no doubt they reflect the quality of the conference and show product. Similarly, they are a concrete measure of the special community that exists in the world of golf course maintenance in our region. Superintendents, vendors, educators, researchers and others come to Myrtle Beach for business, but it is the people who make that business such a pleasure.
I look forward to honoring one of those people, Mr. Charles M. “Chuck” Borman, CAE with our association’s highest honor on Wednesday night, the Distinguished Service Award. It is entirely appropriate that Chuck receives this honor at a record-breaking show. Perhaps more than anyone he was responsible for growing this event from adolescence to adulthood, so that it is now the second largest superintendent event outside the Golf Industry Show.
But even the best people need partners and we have them here in large numbers. Nearly 200 individual companies are involved in this event. Our industry partners step up year after year. There are too many partners to mention them all here but I do want to make a point of acknowledging our relationships with Syngenta, Toro and Smith Turf and Irrigation, Tri-State Pump and Controls and John Deere. Their financial commitment is significant and enables us to provide our signature events such as the education, golf, big party and prize giveaway.
We are also extremely grateful to Golf Course Industry and Pat Jones for their efforts in helping us spread the word about this conference. This publication is just one more example of how we continue to evolve and keep the event fresh for our members and guests. I think it says a lot that we have so many superintendents who have never missed the conference since joining the industry. One example is Carmel Country Club’s Bill Anderson, CGCS who is here for the 38th year in a row.
If you haven’t attended a Carolinas GCSA Conference and Trade Show yet, think about making next year your first. We’re pretty sure it won’t be your last.