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The Carolinas PGA Section welcomed over 800 members and industry partners to the Greensboro Coliseum February 15 through 17 for the 2026 CPGA Super Show, the Section's premier annual gathering featuring the Special Awards and Honors Dinner, Annual Meeting, educational programming, and a merchandise show with more than 220 vendors. Over three days, the event served as a showcase of the best the Carolinas region has to offer.
Honoring the Best in the Carolinas
The weekend's most celebrated evening took place Saturday, February 15, at Greensboro Country Club, where the Special Awards and Honors Dinner presented by Club Car brought together members, families, and friends to recognize 14 award winners across categories spanning teaching, player development, merchandising, community impact, and professional excellence.
Chris Byrd, PGA, of NXT Level Golf was named Golf Professional of the Year, the Section's highest individual honor, capping a distinguished 27-year career that has left a lasting mark on both the profession and the community. A former Section President and current Honorary President, Byrd spearheaded financial initiatives that grew Section and Foundation investments to over $6 million and established a Trustee Program for the PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation. His passion for mentorship has led him to assist more than 75 fellow professionals and associates with career advancement, directly helping 50 individuals secure roles as Directors of Golf or Head Golf Professionals. Off the course, Byrd co-founded an annual golf event that has raised $1.9 million for the Navy SEAL Foundation over the past 15 years and has provided hands-on community service including delivering supplies to victims of Hurricane Helene. His dedication to the profession has previously been recognized with the Carolinas Section Assistant Golf Professional of the Year and the Professional Development Award.
The evening's most emotional moment came with the induction of Karl Kimball, PGA, into the Carolinas PGA Hall of Fame. A 40-year PGA member with 28 years of service to this Section, Kimball served as Section President from 2010 to 2011, captured multiple CPGA and NC Open titles during his playing career, and has spent the past decade transforming Hillandale Golf Course in Durham into a thriving community golf destination. His establishment of the H.E.A.R.T.S. program, which provides no-cost golf experiences to children at Duke Children's Hospital, and his tireless advocacy for veterans through the Folds of Honor Foundation underscore a career defined as much by service as by achievement.
2026 Super Show Recap
Monday morning's Annual Meeting drew record attendance, with members gathering for organizational updates, officer elections, and an open town hall with PGA of America leadership that produced one of the most candid and engaged membership conversations the Super Show has seen in recent years. Tuesday morning continued the educational programming with a presentation from Corebridge Financial on retirement planning resources available to PGA Professionals, guiding members through strategies for building long-term financial security with a focus on the unique considerations facing golf professionals at every career stage.
Adding an extra layer of excitement across both days, members had the chance to compete in the event's popular Cash Jackpot drawings, with a $2,000 drawing on Monday building anticipation for Tuesday's Grand Prize drawing that brought the crowd together for one of the most anticipated moments of the week. Tuesday afternoon capped the event with the Winter Teaching Summit presented by Clippd, which brought some of the industry's top instructional minds together for an immersive afternoon of coaching education featuring live lessons from 2025 CPGA Teacher of the Year Andrew Kiger, PGA, and 2025 PGA of America Teacher of the Year Jason Baile, PGA.
The PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation hosted its fourth annual Careers in Golf Roundtable on Monday, February 16, at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro as part of the 2026 Carolinas PGA Super Show. The event welcomed college students from diverse academic backgrounds to explore the many career opportunities within the $100 billion golf industry, drawing a record number of student participants and providing exclusive access to industry leaders, networking opportunities, and career insights. President's Day timing this year offered even greater accessibility for students, and as an added benefit, attendees received complimentary access to the Super Show, an event that typically carries a $100 or more admission for PGA Professionals and industry members, along with an exclusive welcome gift and the chance to explore the largest golf vendor exhibit in North and South Carolina featuring over 200 companies spanning equipment, media, event management, branding, technology, and more.
The roundtable featured a panel of distinguished industry professionals, each sharing their unique journey and providing insight into careers in marketing, branding, and professional golf management. The panel was moderated by Leila Mackie, PGA, Career Services Recruiting Specialist at the PGA of America, and included Paige Cribb, PGA, Director of Student Support at Coastal Carolina University, Rachel Goetz, Event Services Specialist with the PGA Tour, and Sean Suggs, Senior Executive at Toyota Battery Manufacturing. Panelists discussed topics such as breaking into the industry, overlooked career paths, the role of technology in golf, and the future of diversity and inclusion in the sport, with an interactive Q&A session allowing for engaging conversation on career growth, skill development, and industry trends. Students also had the opportunity to attend the keynote address by Shane Beamer, Head Football Coach for the University of South Carolina.
A major focus of this year's roundtable was diversity, equity, and inclusion within the golf industry. Panelists shared personal experiences, challenges, and advice on how students from underrepresented backgrounds can position themselves for success in the field. PGA REACH Carolinas continues to drive initiatives that expand career opportunities for students from all backgrounds and grow awareness of the industry's evolving landscape. Participation in the event continues to grow year over year, and the Foundation remains committed to expanding career development initiatives and increasing student engagement in golf's many career pathways.