Registration is open for the 2009 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Education Conference, Feb. 2-7 in New Orleans. The GCSAA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show (Feb. 5-7), is the largest educational conference in the turfgrass management industry. A total of 123 seminars and 60 additional hours of educational sessions are offered, covering all ranges of golf course management, including agronomics, communication and business management.
GCSAA members can register online at www.gcsaa.org/conference, or by calling 800-472-7878. Nonmember registration opens Oct. 30. Hotel and travel arrangements can be made through Golf Industry Travel, either online at https://wems.worldtek.com/gis2009, or by calling 800-442-7220. Registration is also open for the 2009 GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic presented in partnership with The Toro Co., Feb. 1-3, in Gulf Shores, Ala., online at www.gcsaa.org/conference/tour.asp, or by calling 800-472-7878.
Media and nonmember registration for the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show opens Oct. 30.
"The GCSAA Education Conference and the Golf Industry Show is recognized for its high quality," says Mark Woodward, CGCS, c.e.o. of the GCSAA. "It is a must attend event in the golf industry because of the diversity of attendees and exhibitors. In addition, the education and networking opportunities are unmatched. In these challenging economic times, one cannot afford not to attend."
One of the highlights of the GCSAA Education Conference is the opening session Feb. 5. GCSAA's highest honor, the Old Tom Morris Award, will be presented at this session. The winner of the award will also headline the event as the featured speaker. Other GCSAA top awards that will be presented at this session are the Leo Feser Award, Excellence in Government Relations Award, GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, President's Award for Environmental Stewardship, and the Col. John Morley Award, formerly the Distinguished Service Award.
GCSAA and its partnering associations of the Golf Industry Show are teaming up with New Orleans Habitat for Humanity to host a series of work days (Feb. 3-4) before the trade show opens to help build homes in some of New Orleans' most devastated areas. To support this first-ever volunteer project, register to participate in the event online at www.gcsaa.org/conference (or use registration form A-2 in the conference and show brochure) or support New Orleans Habitat's efforts through a donation on the registration form. Participation requires a $25 registration fee. The Golf Industry Show will provide transportation from the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, lunch at the work sites, water, sunscreen and a t-shirt. The deadline for registration is Jan. 2.
The official slate of candidates for GCSAA's 2009 elections has also been announced. Voting members will elect three officers and three directors at the 2009 Annual Meeting, Feb. 6.
The following individuals will appear on the ballot:
For president:
Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, director of grounds at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.
For vice president:
James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, director of golf at Wollaston Recreational Facility/Presidents Golf Club in North Quincy, Mass.
For secretary/treasurer:
Sanford G. Queen, CGCS, manager of golf operations for the city of Overland Park, Kan.
Robert M. Randquist, CGCS, director of golf course and grounds at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Fla.
For director (electing three):
Robert O. Farren, CGCS, director of golf course and grounds management at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort and Country Club
Peter J. Grass, CGCS at Hilands Golf Club in Billings, Mont.
Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, director of grounds maintenance at Country Club of Little Rock in Little Rock, Ark.
John J. O'Keefe, CGCS, director of golf course management at Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, N.J.
Jay D. Stine III, CGCS, Brookhaven Country Club in McKinney, Texas
Ihms and Randquist are at the end of their two-year director's terms and O’Keefe is completing a one-year appointment. Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS, director of golf course maintenance operations at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, enters the second year of his term as director. David S. Downing II, CGCS, vice president of operations and construction for Signature Golf Group in Myrtle Beach, S.C., will serve on the board for one year as immediate past president. Ricky D. Heine, CGCS, general manager and director of grounds at The Golf Club Star Ranch in Austin, Texas, is retiring from the board of directors after serving the last year as immediate past president.
