GCSAA Conference and Trade Show Sunrise Celebration to feature lessons on overcoming challenges

The 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show Sunrise Celebration, presented in partnership with Syngenta on Feb. 5, will feature guests who have overcome unexpected difficulties to achieve their goals, according to the GCSAA.

The event, hosted by golf media personality Lauren Thompson, will honor outgoing Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) president Jeff L. White, CGCS. The event will also recognize the United States Golf Association (USGA) Green Section Award winner, the winner of the 2025 GCSAA National Championship and more.

Other key highlights of the celebration will include:

•  Keynote speaker Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO, will recount his experiences of successfully summiting Mount Everest. In his talk “Time’s Up! Lead Out!” Evans will share how he overcame numerous unexpected challenges during his climb by harnessing the principles of purpose, passion, positivity and perseverance and how you can use these same principles to overcome difficulties you may encounter, which can lead to greater personal and professional growth. A preview of his presentation is available here.
• 2025 GCSAA Col. John Morley Award Winner Pat Finlen, CGCS. Find out how Finlen’s leadership, lifelong service to GCSAA, mentoring other members and far-reaching impact on the turfgrass industry earned him GCSAA’s highest superintendent honor.
• 2025 GCSAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship winner Matt Gourlay, CGCS, MG, AGS. Gourlay is a third-generation superintendent whose dedication to sustainable golf course management has made an exceptional environmental contribution to the game of golf, according to the organization.

To register to attend the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and to learn more about the event, visit the GCSAA conference and trade show website. 

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