Registration is open for the 2010 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Education Conference, Feb. 8-12 in San Diego. The GCSAA Education Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show (Feb. 10-11), is the largest educational conference in the turfgrass management industry. More than 95 seminars and 40 additional hours of educational sessions are offered this year, covering all ranges of golf course management, including agronomics, communication and business management.
GCSAA members can register online at www.gcsaa.org/conference. Hotel and travel arrangements can be made through Golf Industry Travel, either online at https://ems.resrunner.com/gis2010, calling 800-442-7220 or 203-772-0470. Registration is also open for the 2010 GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic presented in partnership with The Toro Co., Feb. 5-7, in Palm Springs, Calif.
Media and non-member registration for the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show opens Oct. 29.
"The GCSAA Education Conference and the Golf Industry Show is recognized for its high quality," GCSAA CEO Mark Woodward, CGCS, said. "It is a must-attend event in the golf industry because the diversity and quality of attendees and exhibitors, the education and networking opportunities are unmatched."
One of the highlights of the GCSAA Education Conference is Celebrate GCSAA! presented in partnership with Syngenta, Feb. 9. Formerly the Opening Session and Welcoming Reception, the event is hosted by GCSAA president Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS. GCSAA's highest honor, the Old Tom Morris Award, will be presented during the program portion of the event to World Golf Hall of Fame member and golf commentator Judy Rankin, who will also headline the event as the featured speaker. Other GCSAA top awards that will be presented at the event are the National Championship Award, 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 Distinguished Service Award. A reception celebrating Kuhns’ presidency will immediately follow the program.
GCSAA and its partnering associations of the Golf Industry Show are assisting the San Diego Food Bank with a service project Feb. 8, sending 200 volunteers from the Golf Industry Show to help prepare, sort, pack and distribute food to the more than 480,000 people in San Diego County fighting hunger. In addition, during the entire week of the Golf Industry Show and accompanying education conferences, attendees will have the opportunity to donate food and money at the convention center. Registration for the service project is online at www.golfindustryshow.com.
Candidates set for GCSAA Board of Directors
The official slate of candidates for GCSAA's 2010 elections has also been announced. Voting members will elect three officers and two directors at the 2010 Annual Meeting, Feb. 12.
The following individuals will appear on the ballot:
For president:
James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, Wollaston Recreational Facility/Presidents Golf Club, North Quincy, Mass.
For vice president:
Robert M. Randquist, CGCS, Boca Rio Golf Club, Boca Raton, Fla.
For secretary/treasurer:
Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS, The Olympic Club, San Francisco, Calif.
Sanford G. Queen, CGCS, City of Overland Park, Kan.
For director (electing two):
Robert O. Farren Jr., CGCS, Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort and Country Club
Todd A. Lupkes, CGCS, Palouse Ridge Golf Course, Pullman, Wash.
Bill H. Maynard, CGCS, Milburn Golf and Country Club, Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Mike B. Wooten, CGCS, Cedar Ridge Country Club, Broken Arrow, Okla.
There are two positions open for director this year, as Finlen and Queen are both at the end of their two-year director terms. Peter J. Grass, CGCS; Keith A. Ihms, CGCS; John J. O’Keefe, CGCS will remain on the board with one year remaining in their two-year director terms. Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, will serve on the board as Immediate Past President during 2010 and David S. Downing II, CGCS, will be retiring from the GCSAA Board of Directors.