On the back of golf's resurgent popularity, the Carolinas GCSA enjoyed one of its most successful conferences.
According to the 1,800-member Carolinas chapter, its 2023 conference and show in Myrtle Beach attracted 1,995 attendees from 30 states and Canada, the most since 2,006 attended the 2013 show. The show, held Nov. 13-14, grossed a record $830,000-plus, which is more than a 15 percent increase from last year's record-setting show.
"There are all sorts of metrics people use to gauge how the industry is doing – rounds, memberships, renovation and construction activity – but at the end of the day, the big tell is how much industry players are spending. And there might be no better snapshot of that in this region than our Conference and Show," said Tim Kreger, Carolinas GCSA executive director.
"This is where golf course superintendents come for education and to meet face to face with manufacturers, suppliers and service providers. When all those groups turn up and spend like they did this year, you know the game is in a great place."
The show also set a new record with 1,511 education seminar seats sold, eclipsing the previous high of 1,366 in 2019.
In other conference highlights:
- Pete Gerdon, from Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, North Carolina, was elected the association's 50th president;
- Three new members to the board of directors were elected — Eric Dusa, CGCS from Marlboro County Golf and Recreational Complex in Bennettsville, South Carolina; Matt Jones, CGCS from Forsyth Country Club in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Todd Lawrence, CGCS from The Country Club at Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh, North Carolina;
- Fred Yelverton, Ph.D., of North Carolina State University, received the Distinguished Service Award;
- Steve Agazzi, from Charleston Municipal Golf Course in Charleston, South Carolina, won the golf championship presented in partnership with Toro and Smith Turf & Irrigation;
- Adam Cribbet, from Old Tabby Links at Spring Island in Okatie, South Carolina, won the sporting clays championship;
- Ron Kelly, CGCS from the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, North Carolina, won a fishing trip for two to Panama in the 27-Hole Challenge;
- Eric Church, from Hound Ears Club in Blowing Rock, North Carolina was named Turf Equipment Technician of the Year by the Turf Equipment Technicians Association of the Carolinas;
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Clemson University's No. 1 team and Horry-Georgetown Technical College recorded the first tie in the history of the Turf Bowl.