2023 GCBAA WINTER MEETING/GCSAA Conference & Trade Show

GCBAA Staff rolled into Orlando on February 4, 2023, for the GCBAA Winter Meeting & GCSAA Conference & Trade Show. In addition to the conference and tradeshow and GCBAA activities, an “Interactive Grass Learning Stage” build project was underway. The project was a special feature designed, supported, and built with the collaboration of GCSAA, GCBAA, USGA, and ASGCA. 176 tons of base material was delivered with the guidance of Golf Agronomics. Caterpillar, Ring Power, Kelly Tractor, Big Orange Rental, and Sunbelt Rentals, all had equipment arriving to complete the feature.

Chris Hill with Course Crafters and Mike Garbs with Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. eagerly worked on features that included a USGA Soil Profile simulation that Waupaca Sand & Solutions/ SportZMix had provided the aggregate for. They all meticulously brought this feature to life! Rain Bird Corporation and Ewing Irrigation provided the supplies for the simulation of the irrigation drip boxes.

Sod Solutions Professionals worked with three different turf farms to provide unique sod variations to be displayed on the tees, fairway, and green. Between Kirkpatrick Sod Installation’s crew, Sod Solutions’ Mark Kann, and GCBAA Staff, as well as volunteers willing to get their hands dirty were Mark Bland, Brant Williams, Joe Lobb, and Jonathan Teague, all with Sunbelt Rentals, the sod was installed and ready for final touches on the stage and ready for the grand opening of the show Wednesday morning.

Once the stage was set at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), GCBAA conducted its annual General Membership Meeting (GMM) at the Hyatt Regency just ahead of the Opening Reception. The evening was an informative, engaging, and exciting event. It started with introductions of the GCBAA Board, Foundation Board, and Board of Governors, moving along to plaque and check presentations, “State of the Association”, and Summer Meeting updates. Once the GMM concluded, the doors were opened to over 550 attendees to network and connect with members, industry and allied partners, and other special guests. This was one of our largest Opening Receptions in quite some time. Thank you to The Toro Company for sponsoring our friends with the ASGCA.

The trade show opened Wednesday morning with the floodgates of over 11,000 attendees, and over 450 exhibitors and included a “ribbon cutting” on the grand “Interactive Grass Learning Stage”. GCBAA Executive Director Justin Apel and GCBAA President John McDonald, II had the opportunity to come together on the GCSAA.tv Live Stage to continue on announce the Renovation Channel. With the new layout of the show floor, attendees were treated to a wide range of exhibits, seminars, and networking opportunities, all designed to help them stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies in golf course design, construction, and management. From industry experts sharing their insights on the latest best practices to vendors showcasing the newest equipment and technologies, there was something for everyone. The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones, as golf industry professionals from around the world came together to share ideas, network, and explore new business opportunities.

Once the show floor closed, Golf Agronomics coordinated 10 dump trucks, clean-up began, and a sincere “Thank you” to Joel Torres, Felipe de Jesus Lopez Gonzalez, and Bernardo Lopez with Heritage Links as they helped return the OCCC to its original form and securely placed all equipment for its load out.

An overall glance at the week beyond the main events: GCBAA members conducted three education seminars and participated in a panel discussion that was held in conjunction with the ASGCA meeting. The GCBAA Board of Directors conducted business early in the week and joined fellow board members, spouses, Foundation Board members, Board of Governors, and special guests at a Board

Volunteers (including Seminar Instructors and Panelists):

Darryl Bartlett, NMP Golf Services

Jason Sloan, Frontier Golf

Jeff Davis

Justin Apel, GCBAA Executive Director

Mike Perez, VM Golf Services Inc.

Chris Lineberger, VM Golf Services, Inc.

Judd Duininck, Duininck Golf

John McDonald II, McDonald & Sons Inc.

Jon Truttmann, Hunter Industries

Ellen Davis, Waupaca Sand & Solutions/SportZmix Solutions

Dennis & Nancy Seelhoff

Trevor Wustrack

Dinner. The Board of Governors met to review the annual certification documents submitted by our Certified Builders, Certified Renovation Builders, and Certified Golf Course Irrigation Contractors. A brought together key players and decision-makers from across the industry.

GCBAA Staff want to express their sincere gratitude for the contributions to this event, shout out to Judd Duininck, Sam Duininck, Matt Lohmann, and Jon O’Donnell (all GCBAA Board of Directors) who participated in the Health in Action 5K and represented our membership in such a fantastic way. Congratulations to Sam on a 5th place finish! The recent conference and trade show for the golf industry was an absolute success, with a packed week of events showcasing the strength of the industry and the power of partnerships. The GCBAA and its entire membership played a significant role in organizing and promoting the event, which

Stephanie Zimmerman, Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.

Mike Garbs, Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.

Chris Hill, Course Crafters

Kirk Kirkpatrick and the Kirkpatrick Sod Installation Crew

Mark Kann, Sod Solutions Professionals

Mark Bland, Sunbelt Rentals

Brant Williams, Sunbelt Rentals

Jonathan Teague, Sunbelt Rentals

Joe Lobb, Sunbelt Rentals

Joel Torres, Heritage Links

Felipe de Jesus Lopez Gonzalez, Heritage Links

Bernardo Lopez Hernandez, Heritage Links

EARTH SHAPING NEWS

©GOLF COURSE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

6040 S. 58th St., Suite D Lincoln, NE 68516

TEL (402) 476-4444

FAX (402) 476-4489 information@gcbaa.org www.gcbaa.org

JUSTIN APEL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR justin_apel@gcbaa.org

MYCHELLE THOMPSON PROGRAM & PLANNING MANAGER mychelle_thompson@gcbaa.org

LUNDMARK ADVERTISING & DESIGN DESIGN & LAYOUT www.lundmarkadv.com including sponsorships. Your time, energy, and dedication make a significant impact and we could not achieve our goals without your help. We are aware that there may have been others who contributed but were not recognized or listed below, and we want to thank you as well. That is an oversight on our part and your efforts and support are invaluable. Please know all contributions have made a difference and are deeply appreciated.

Interactive Grass Learning Stage

GCSAA

USGA

ASGCA

Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.

Big Orange Rental/Florida Coast Equipment

Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply

Golf Agronomics

Rain Bird Golf Corporation

Ring Power/Kelly Tractor, CAT Rent

Sod Solutions Professionals

Sunbelt Rentals

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