GCBAA Attends and Exhibits at the Carolinas GCSAA Trade Show The GCBAA was pleased to once again attend and exhibit at the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association annual Carolinas Trade Show November 14 – 15, 2017 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We hosted a booth along with about 20 of our fellow members. Nearly 2000 attendees enjoyed the event; similar numbers that have not been realized since 2008 showing progress in the industry. Other key highlights of the event: Reference Golf Course Industry – “Positive Signs Abound at Carolinas GCSA Conference and Show” Published November 22, 2017. Will Holroyd from Musgrove Mill Golf Club in Clinton, S.C., received the Distinguished Service Award, the Association’s highest honor. A veteran of more than 40 years in the superintendent profession, Holroyd commands a stellar reputation for his golf course conditioning, for mentoring superintendents and for his service to the industry. Holroyd was instrumental in securing funding that helped the Clemson program achieve its current heights. He was later guest of honor at a dinner presented in partnership with J. K. Morro and Sunbelt Rentals. Riley Boyette, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at Briar’s Creek Golf Club on Johns Island, S.C., successfully defended his title as Carolinas GCSA Golf Champion. Boyette, who won his first championship last year, shot a one-over par round of 73 at Wachesaw Plantation. A total of 341 golfers competed in several different formats across three separate courses presented in partnership with Toro and Smith Turf and Irrigation. Outgoing Carolinas GCSA President, Adam Charles from The Preserve at Verdae in Greenville, S.C., won the sporting clay championship that attracted 41 shooters. Bayer and Carolina Fresh Farms were co-presenters of the event. Peter Gerdon from Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, N.C., was the grand prize winner in the 27-Hole Challenge presented in partnership with John Deere Golf, Greenville Turf and Tractor and Revels Turf and Tractor. Gerdon won $3,000 cash and Craig Walsh from Eagle Point Country Club in Wilmington, N.C., won $2,000 in the annual giveaway of nearly 20 prizes ranging from cash to YETI coolers, Go Pros and Costa sunglasses. Miguel Adorno from Blackmoor Golf Club in Murrells Inlet, S.C., won the Rex Floyd Award as Turf Equipment Technician of the Year from the Turf Equipment Technicians Association of the Carolinas. Nearly 140 people registered for the annual Fellowship Breakfast presented in partnership with Corbin Turf and Ornamental Supply and New Life Turf. Attendees were universal in their praise of speaker Billy Bagwell, a Carolinas GCSA Director from Callawassie Island Club in Okatie, S.C., who spoke of his family’s journey while his wife Amanda overcame breast cancer. A team from Clemson University won the annual Student Turf Bowl loosening the grip of Horry-Georgetown Technical College which had won the test of turfgrass knowledge in four of the previous five years.
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