Coming soon to China: GCSAA education

Education ... GCSAA style ... is coming to China.

GCSAA signed on to be an official supporter of two major golf industry trade shows in China and will conduct GCSAA education annually at the events. The first show occurs next month, Oct. 19-21, at The Asia Golf Show/PGA Merchandise Show-Asia in Guangzhou. In March 2012, the China Golf Show/PGA Merchandise Show-China is set for Beijing. Reed Guanghe, a subsidiary of Reed Exhibitions Greater China, conducts both shows.

GCSAA was approached by Chinese officials to make it possible.

"We sought out GCSAA because it has worldwide recognition as the leading association for golf course management," says Mr. Preecha Chen, president, Reed Exhibitions Greater China. "The golf industry in China has made significant gains in recent years, but golf course management resources are in need. We are pleased that GCSAA accepted our invitation to join the CGA and PGA in support of these shows because this will help elevate the game in China."

GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans, GCSAA President Robert Randquist, CGCS, and Michigan State University Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science Kevin Frank, Ph.D., will participate in five GCSAA education seminars next month.

Their tasks include:

*Evans will be part of a panel that focuses on facility development and pre-opening, and another panel on sustainability and water use.

*Randquist will conduct a seminar on basic bunker maintenance and he also will appear on a panel discussion about the superintendent-general manager relationship and how to generate higher profits and drive customer satisfaction.

*Frank will teach four seminars on turfgrass soils, turfgrass cultivation, soil testing and turfgrass fertilization programs.

"This is an opportunity to demonstrate our leadership and advance the superintendent profession and the game," Evans says. "We are honored to be asked to participate to assist one of the fastest growing markets in the world."

The China trips continue an expansion of GCSAA's international programming. Each year, GCSAA participates in an international summit of superintendent associations representing Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, United Kingdom and the U.S. During the 2012 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas, two seminars will be presented in Korean and Mandarin, while the International Resource Center will offer an opportunity for networking by international attendees.

"We are pursuing international opportunities in a prudent and calculated manner," Randquist says. "GCSAA has members to serve in all corners of the world and we know that our education, information and credentialing are highly sought after. We are looking to areas where there is a void of resources or where we have been invited to participate. GCSAA's board of directors and staff are committed to an international strategy that will allow us to grow our net income as we deliver programs and services that benefit superintendents in the U.S. and worldwide."