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Say hello to GCSAA's Melissa Householder, the friendly face who greets tournament competitors as they arrive to register for the event.
Say hello to GCSAA's Melissa Householder, the friendly face who greets tournament competitors as they arrive to register for the event.
The hardware for 2008 -- a display of the championship trophies that are up for grabs this week, situated near registration.
Bags filled with tee prizes for competitors await the over 500 players expected to take part in this year's event.
This is the home to this year's tournament -- the convention facilities at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
Another look at the convention facilities that house tournament headquarters, this one from the 10th floor of Tower 2 at the Caribe Royale.
Although it's a little cool for swimming in Orlando right now, I had to snap a few pictures of the fabulous pool at the Caribe Royale that includes this water slide.
Another shot from poolside, this one featuring the waterfall and grotto-like area behind it.
I had to scamper across busy SR-536 to get this shot, but this is the front of the Caribe Royale. Which I guess you could have figured out, what with the giant "Carbie Royale" sign and all.
Let me introduce you to Pat Payne, CMP, GCSAA's manager of tournament logistics and meeting planning and the brains behind this whole operation. She's pretty behind the scenes at these events, but deserves a ton of credit for making this event run as smoothly as it does every year.
There is a giant eagle statue in the entry way to the convention facilities at the Caribe Royale. Not sure why, but there is.
The management teams from the host courses came by on Friday for a luncheon in their honor.
That's Jack Randall from The Toro Co., the tournament's generous corporate partner for the last 14 years, speaking at the host course luncheon.
Jim Fitzroy, CGCS, is a member of GCSAA's board of directors and is the chairman of the tournament committee.
Finally, I leave the hotel! This was my first stop -- Reunion Resort, home of the Independence Course which will host the GCSAA National Championship. This is the Reunion Grande, the facility's hotel.
The golf clubhouse at Reunion, which will be the center of activity this week for the National Championship.
Another sign picture. Orange County National's two courses -- the Crooked Cat and Panther Lake -- are hosts to Golf Classic play.
Caligraphers get to work on the massive National Championship scoreboard in the main ballroom at the Caribe Royale.
