(Image above of The Randy from 2023)
By Ray Smith, Exhibit City News
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
