End your week in San Diego with friends and colleagues at one of the most exciting events of the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, the GCSAA Send-Off Celebration, presented in partnership with John Deere. Doors open at 2:45 p.m.
Meet the newly elected 2025 Board of Directors, cheer on your alma mater when the 31st Annual Collegiate Turf Bowl winners are announced and recognize award winners, including the Old Tom Morris Award. A dynamic keynote speaker will round out the evening with the beautiful San Diego Bay in the background.
Admission is free for All-Access and Full-Pack registrants but during the registration process, please let us know if you will be attending so we can plan accordingly.
presented in partnership with 
Old Tom Morris Award Winner Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith, National Baseball Hall of Famer known as "The Wizard of Oz", is the recipient of the 2025 Old Tom Morris Award.
Since retiring from baseball, Smith has found a love for the game of golf both as an avid golfer and as someone devoted to introducing the game to children and young adults who may not have access to play. His work has resulted in bringing new players into the game. As part of this, these young players have a chance to understand the game and see all of the opportunities for potential turfgrass management careers.
Smith is currently Gateway PGA Reach president, and for the last 15 years has hosted the annual Ozzie and Friends Gala and Pro Am, PGA Gateway’s largest fundraiser.
Keynote Speaker Rhett Evans
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.