(Image above of The Randy from 2023)
With the 30th annual Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic coming Sept. 26 to Atlanta, Exhibit City News compiled a profile of top golfers in the tradeshow industry. Our caveat: Golfers are listed in alphabetical order, handicaps may not be “official,” and we are without knowledge of “sleepers” and under-the-radar players:
Stacy Barnes, senior account executive, Eagle Management
Age: 60
Handicap: My swing
Strong game: Driving
Needs improvement: Short game
How long have you been playing: Dare I say? 25 years
Where did you learn to play: Memphis, Tenn.
High school, college or league competition: Nope, and it shows
How often do you play: I use to play quite a bit, but now only tournaments
Best golf course you’ve played: Palm Desert, Calif.
Favorite industry tournament: EDPA, of course
Justin Jones, vice president of national accounts, Ardent X
Age: 38
Handicap: Scratch
Strong game: Approach Shots
Needs improvement: Long Game
How long have you been playing: Since I was 14 years old
Where did you learn to play: Bent Creek Golf Course in Jacksonville, Fla.
High school, college or league competition: High school/Division 1 Jacksonville University/mini tours after college golf
How often do you play: 1-2 times a month
Best golf course you’ve played: Hammock Dunes Creek Course (Fla.)
Favorite industry tournament: The Randy
Matt Kleinrock, CEO, Rockway Exhibits
Age: 38
Handicap: 2
Strong game: Off the tee
Needs improvement: Iron play
How long have you been playing: Since I was 10
Where did you learn to play: Father and grandfather introduced me to it. Grew up near a 9-hole course where I could play a lot.
High school, college or league competition: Boonton High School (New Jersey); Jacksonville University
How often do you play: Once every two weeks
Best golf course you’ve played: Pebble Beach
Favorite industry tournament: The Randy
Mike Morrison, vice president of sales, WS Display
Age: 61
Handicap: 14
Strong game: Putting
Needs improvement: Approach shots
How long have you been playing: 30 years
Where did you learn the game: Cobblestone Golf Course in Acworth, Ga.
High school, college or league competition: Gosh no! I was more of the football, basketball, baseball type. Golf was for rich kids, to which I did not relate.
How often do you play: Every other week when not traveling
Best golf course you’ve played: Without a doubt, Mauna Lani in Hawaii
Favorite industry tournament: Randy Smith Memorial, Atlanta
James Zacharias, division president, Brumark
Age: 54
Handicap: 15
Strong game: Drives
Needs improvement: Short game
How long have you been playing: 42 years
Where did you learn to play: Abilene, Texas, at a municipal golf course with my dad
High school, college or league competition: Berkner High School (Richardson, Texas)
How often do you play: LOL, not often enough
Best golf course you’ve played: TPC Sawgrass
Favorite industry tournament: Randy Smith Memorial, Atlanta
