MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — In times of crisis, associations often become a source of connection and support for their members. That has been the case with the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association (GSCA) in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which devastated many members’ courses when it slammed into North and South Carolina in late September.
Courses in the mountains of western North Carolina were the hardest hit, with some not planning to reopen until next year, and others possibly not at all. Nonetheless, the Carolinas GCSA Conference and Trade Show took place as planned Nov. 18-20 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, attracting 2,173 attendees — a number not seen since 2013. Exhibitor numbers also broke records, with 240 companies on the show floor, up from a high of 217 in 2017. More than 1,400 seminar seats were sold, with topics ranging from turf insect management to soilborne diseases.
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“The Carolinas show for us was a huge success, from the classes to the trade show to the number of people who came,” Pete Gergon, Carolinas GCSA President and Golf Course Superintendent at the Grandfather Golf & Country Club in Linville, N.C., said. “What impressed me was how badly everyone needed to get together and talk about what happened.
“Many of our members were still cleaning up from Helene in the mountains and were unable to come. But the response from members and people from all over the country who came with desperately needed supplies was truly amazing.”
The association has helped people in the areas hit hardest by the storm with financial support and supplies, setting up a “drop off and pick up” sites program, as well as a Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund, which is directing donations toward individuals who have suffered any type of personal loss. It is also planning to acquire Starlink systems to provide to local communities, since many schools were destroyed.
In a letter to members, Gerdon said: “I can’t tell you how proud I am of how you have banded together during this time. Even before the storm was fully gone, our members started calling the headquarters to see how they could help. Many of them were our industry partners. If there was ever a time to say thank you to these folks, this conference is it.”
Reach Pete Gerdon at (828) 387-7835 or pgerdon@grandfatherclubnc.com
