Highlights from Orlando

Key attendance figures surpass previous highs

Key attendance figures set all-time highs not only in the four-year tenure of the Golf Industry Show, but also in GCSAA’s 80 years of show history. Total attendance at the 2008 event was 25,737, which surpassed the previous high of 23,099 at Anaheim last year. GCSAA-generated attendance, 22,027, was also the best-ever. Qualified buyers soared to a record 11,446, including distributors, and GCSAA education surpassed 8,000 in seminar seats for the first time ever.

Annual election results

At the annual meeting, David S. Downing II, CGCS, was elected president, Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, was elected vice president, and James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, was elected secretary/treasurer. Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS and Sanford G. Queen, CGCS, were re-elected to two year director terms. John J. O'Keefe, CGCS, was appointed to fill James R. Fitzroy's remaining one year director term.  Ricky D. Heine, CGCS will serve an additional year as immediate past president, and Robert M. Randquist, CGCS and Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, will continue as directors.  In addition, the voting members of GCSAA approved the proposed annual dues increase. More.

Greg Norman headlines Opening Session

A packed house was on hand for the Opening Session held in Valencia Ballroom of the Orange County Convention Center. The session was held in a talk show format featuring The Golf Channel’s Adam Barr serving as the host. GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE, and GCSAA President Ricky Heine, CGCS, served as co-hosts. Special guests included Old Tom Morris Award winner, Greg Norman, GCSAA golf champion, Seth Strickland and all the Environmental Leaders in Golf and Distinguished Service Award winners. Norman took the stage to accept the Old Tom Morris Award, noting that he was proud to accept it because it “encapsulates” his passion for the game of golf.

Strickland rolls to second GCSAA National Championship

Seth Strickland has found a new home in the record books of the GCSAA National Championship. The superintendent at Miami Shores (Fla.) Country Club fired three consecutive 4-under-par rounds during the championship at the Independence Course at Ginn Reunion Resort to win his second tournament title. He won by a whopping 16 strokes. View all tournament results.

Turf Bowl results available

For the seventh year in a row, Iowa State University placed first in GCSAA’s Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition. Teams from Purdue and the University of Connecticut rounded out the top five. The 14th annual event brought together 92 collegiate teams for friendly competition and the opportunity to sharpen their skills in the areas of turf, insects, mathematics, and business and financial management. View the results here.

2008 GCSAA Conference session presentations available online

Did you miss one of the dynamic conference sessions in Orlando? You're in luck -- you can now extend your Orlando conference experience, refresh your session notes, or share conference information with those at your facility by reviewing the PowerPoint presentations from many of the conference sessions.

Announcements

Promote your Golf Industry Show Attendance

A customized news release is now available for you to announce your Golf Industry Show attendance to your local media. Just fill in your personalized information on the news release template and send it to your local media..

Take the 2008 GCSAA Leadership Survey

All Class A and SM members are encouraged to provide their opinions on a number of timely issues on the game and business of golf. Results of the survey are distributed to the media to communicate the expertise of golf course superintendents. Take the survey here.

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