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HGTC, Palmetto GCSA Host Education Day for Turfgrass Industry Professionals and Students
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) and the Palmetto Golf Course Superintendents Association (PGCSA) brought together golf course superintendents, turfgrass professionals, industry partners and students for the annual PGCSA/HGTC Education Day on Oct. 1 at the HGTC Conway Campus.
Held in the Burroughs & Chapin Auditorium and on the HGTC Turf Care and Demonstration Center, the event provided participants with opportunities to learn about emerging trends, technologies and practices shaping the turfgrass industry while connecting students with professionals working in the field.
This year’s Education Day also provided an opportunity to recognize two significant milestones: HGTC’s 60th anniversary and 57 years of the College’s Golf and Sports Turf Management program.
“For 57 years, HGTC has been preparing students for successful careers in the golf and sports turf industry, and Education Day is a great example of the strong relationships that have helped make that possible,” said Charles Granger, professor and department chair of Golf and Sports Turf Management, Forestry and Wildlife Management, and Engineering Technologies at HGTC. “Bringing our students together with superintendents, industry professionals and vendors gives them an opportunity to learn beyond the classroom, make valuable connections and see firsthand the innovation taking place throughout the profession.”
The day began with remarks from Granger, Professor Jim Huntoon, and representatives of PGCSA, followed by vendor recognition and educational sessions addressing current developments in the turfgrass industry. Topics included updates from the United States Golf Association, turfgrass management technology, industry projects and emerging tools and practices.
The afternoon featured an outdoor experience at the HGTC Turf Care and Demonstration Center, where industry representatives provided demonstrations highlighting equipment, products and technologies used in modern turfgrass management.
“HGTC is proud of our longstanding partnership with the Palmetto Golf Course Superintendents Association and the opportunities it creates for our students,” said Dr. Melissa Batten, interim president of HGTC. “Events like Education Day demonstrate the value of connecting education with industry. As HGTC celebrates 60 years of serving our community, it is especially fitting to recognize the 57-year legacy of our Golf and Sports Turf Management program and the generations of graduates who have gone on to contribute to this important industry.”
HGTC’s Golf and Sports Turf Management program combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning to prepare students for careers in golf course management, sports turf management and related areas of the green industry. Students gain practical experience at the College’s Turf Care and Demonstration Center and through opportunities to interact with industry professionals and employers.
The annual Education Day reflects the continuing partnership between HGTC and PGCSA and their shared commitment to education, professional development and preparing the next generation of turfgrass professionals.